Sex Work Transaction Turns Deadly on the West Side
Authorities have revealed shocking details about a fatal shooting that took place during a late-night dispute over a sex work transaction on the West Side. The incident, which occurred on November 21, 2025, resulted in the death of a man and left a woman injured.
Zakaria Abdrahim, 31, is facing multiple charges, including murder, attempted first-degree murder, and armed robbery, in connection with the shooting that unfolded in the 4500 block of West Fifth Avenue.
According to Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara, the tragic event began when a group of women, including the 26-year-old surviving victim, were engaged in sex work around 3:45 a.m. Keshawn Ramseur, 31, was providing security for the women as they operated in the area.
The surviving victim approached Abdrahim’s Toyota RAV4 and offered him a date. The interaction was captured by police security cameras and the dash camera inside Abdrahim’s vehicle. Abdrahim agreed to pay for sex, and the woman got into the car while Ramseur and the other women monitored from a nearby rental vehicle.
The woman later informed Ramseur via text that she was going with Abdrahim and directed him to park further down Fifth Avenue, a moment captured by surveillance cameras. Once parked, the woman secretly called Ramseur and placed the phone on the center console. Pekara revealed that a negotiation took place, but Abdrahim’s demands escalated, leading to a heated exchange.
Allegedly, Abdrahim brandished a handgun, took the woman’s phone, and ordered her out of the vehicle. Despite the woman’s refusal to comply with his demands, Abdrahim pointed the gun at her and even attempted to fire a shot that jammed. A physical altercation ensued, with Ramseur intervening to de-escalate the situation.
During the struggle, Abdrahim fired multiple shots, injuring both Ramseur and the woman. Following the shooting, Abdrahim fled the scene in his vehicle, causing a crash before abandoning it. Ramseur succumbed to a gunshot wound, while the woman was treated for her injuries.
Abdrahim later called a friend for assistance, who helped him dispose of incriminating evidence before driving him to the hospital. However, law enforcement was able to recover crucial items, including a handgun and cell phones, linking Abdrahim to the crime scene.
Despite claiming self-defense during a police interview, Abdrahim was detained by Judge James Murphy III pending trial.
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