A West Loop man who police believe was shot when a group of gang members opened fire on a group of rival gang members who were trying to rob him Monday night has died, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Raymond Soni, 52, was pronounced dead at 7:25 a.m. Wednesday, medical examiner records showed. With Soni’s passing, Chicago recorded its 100th homicide for July, according to statistics maintained by HeyJackass, an independent crime tracking site.
Soni was walking into the Presidential Towers high-rise complex, 555 West Madison, around 11:22 p.m. when three men walked up and tried to rob him at gunpoint, according to a CPD report. Soni lived in one of the residential towers.
As he gave the men his wallet, a four-door sedan pulled up to the corner of Jefferson and Madison, the report said. Three gunmen emerged from the car and began shooting toward the robbers and the victim. One of the robbers returned fire, according to the report. The robbers ran into a nearby parking garage while the carload of assailants sped away. No one in either group was apparently injured.
At least 20 rounds were fired during the melee, the police report said. One bullet struck Soni in his lower back. Police initially said he was in serious condition.
Area Three detectives are now conducting a homicide investigation.
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