A man who was on the run after skipping court in a violent suburban robbery case five years ago has resurfaced in custody, accused of beating a 76-year-old man to death and then carjacking a vehicle with two children inside.
Malcom Wilson, 32, is the latest in a string of individuals facing charges for killing or attempting to kill someone in Chicago while on felony pretrial release this year. The alarming statistics reveal 35 victims, nine of whom tragically lost their lives.
The harrowing incident took place on September 8 in the 9500 block of South Halsted Street. The victim, Joe Bradley, was peacefully sitting on a bus stop bench with a bag of cans at his feet when Wilson approached and sat beside him, engaging in conversation. Witnesses observed the two men crushing cans and placing them into bags before a physical altercation ensued.
According to prosecutors, Wilson viciously attacked Bradley, repeatedly punching and stomping on him until he was motionless on the ground. Emergency responders found Bradley with his head wedged under a bus shelter partition, requiring firefighters to extricate him. Tragically, Bradley was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two witnesses captured the brutal assault on video, which also showed Wilson carjacking a vehicle with two children inside. After a brief struggle, Wilson drove off with the car, prompting a frantic search by the children’s mother, who tracked the vehicle to Indiana using her 3-year-old’s iPad. Wilson was apprehended by local police in Schererville, Indiana, where he allegedly confessed to the attack on Bradley.
Wilson now faces charges of murder, aggravated vehicular hijacking, and possessing a stolen motor vehicle. Court records reveal his previous involvement in a 2019 robbery and aggravated battery case in Markham, where he subsequently failed to appear in court, leading to a warrant for his arrest in 2020. Wilson’s criminal history includes a prior conviction for robbing a victim over 60 years old in 2015.
The “not horrible” series
Continuing our coverage of individuals involved in violent crimes while on pretrial release, this case underscores the urgent need for reform in the criminal justice system. The alarming trend of offenders committing heinous acts while awaiting trial demands a closer examination of the bail reform initiative.
Despite the grim statistics, it is essential to remember that these incidents represent only a fraction of the violent crimes committed by individuals on pretrial release. The community must remain vigilant and advocate for meaningful changes to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
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