A security guard who worked at some of the city’s major annual events was found guilty on Tuesday of murdering a CTA passenger on the Red Line. Prosecutors claim the killing was initiated by the guard’s desire for the victim’s Pepsi.
The jury took only three hours to convict 30-year-old Isaac Anderson for the murder on October 15, 2022, as stated by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Anderson is facing a sentence ranging from 48 years to life and will remain in custody while post-trial proceedings are underway.
According to prosecutors, Anderson shot and killed the victim, who was unarmed, after taking his can of Pepsi. CTA surveillance footage documented the entire incident, beginning with Anderson using his Ventra card to access the State-Lake station on the morning of the shooting, officials reported.
Anderson boarded a southbound train, and shortly afterward, 60-year-old Oral Woods entered the same carriage. Approximately 30 to 40 minutes later, Anderson moved from his seat to sit beside Woods. They conversed briefly before Anderson inspected Woods’ backpack, prosecutors said.
The video showed Anderson taking a Pepsi from the backpack and tossing the bag onto the seat next to Woods. Prosecutors indicated that Anderson then returned to his seat, drank some of the Pepsi, and later went back to throw the remaining soda on Woods.
When Woods stood up, unarmed with his hands visible, Anderson drew a revolver from his jacket pocket and shot him five times, prosecutors stated. Anderson then escaped from the 87th Street station.
Chicago police, acting on an initial description of the shooter, located Anderson shortly thereafter on a CTA bus. They interviewed him, gathered his information, and searched him for weapons but did not find a gun, leading them to release him. Days later, after investigators confirmed his involvement in the shooting, officers apprehended him again near the 87th Street station, officials said.
Prosecutors revealed that investigators uncovered records of Anderson purchasing three guns, including a revolver, in November 2021. Police also discovered a Facebook photo of Anderson posing with a revolver, along with messages in which he mentioned shooting someone, according to court documents.
Before the shooting, Anderson had no criminal history. His defense attorney mentioned during his initial court appearance that Anderson had been employed as a security guard for nearly a year, working at significant events like Lollapalooza.
“No one should fear for their safety while using public transit. This conviction holds the defendant accountable for a senseless act of gun violence that took the life of an innocent CTA passenger,” remarked Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke on Wednesday. “I commend prosecutors Rebecca Wiggers and Matthew Larkin, along with the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Transit Authority, for their work on the investigation to ensure justice for Mr. Woods and his loved ones.”
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