Gunman Sentenced to Over 50 Years in Prison for Uptown Starbucks Shooting
CHICAGO — Tikeo Sweeting, 26, has been sentenced to more than 50 years in prison for the fatal shooting at an Uptown Starbucks that took the life of one victim and injured two others, including a 12-year-old boy. The sentencing was handed down by Judge Diana Kenworthy, who ordered Sweeting to serve 100% of the time, according to court records.
On November 2, 2017, around 8 p.m., Sauvignon Watkins, 28, and another man were outside Starbucks located at 4753 North Broadway when a gunman wearing a ski mask approached and opened fire. The victims tried to seek refuge inside the coffee shop, but the shooter followed them in, fatally shooting Watkins as he lay on the floor before fleeing the scene.
A brave woman who witnessed the incident rushed to help the injured 12-year-old boy, driving him to Weiss Hospital. The boy sustained gunshot wounds to his thigh, ankle, and back. The other man with Watkins survived a gunshot wound to the torso.
Prosecutors were able to identify Sweeting as the gunman through surveillance footage that showed his face partially exposed by the ski mask. Additionally, a witness came forward stating that Sweeting had confessed to being the shooter. Authorities believed the shooting was connected to drug activity, as Watkins was found to be in possession of narcotics at the time of his death.
Following the tragic incident, Starbucks temporarily reopened the store but later decided to close the location permanently.
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