Man charged with shooting 16-year-old on the Red Line near Chinatown

Elijah Russell (inset) and a surveillance image of the suspect as seen on a video released by Chicago police. | Chicago Police Department

Chicago police have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the shooting of a 16-year-old on the Red Line last month. Elijah Russell will appear in court for a bail hearing Friday afternoon. He is charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery by discharging a firearm, according to a CPD press release.

The victim was riding a southbound train when a gunman shot him near Cermak-Chinatown around 2:05 a.m. on December 18. Police said the victim could not provide any other information about what happened, but they did find blood and a shell casing on the train car.

Chicago police released a portion of the train’s video footage, which shows a man pulling out a gun seconds before the victim was shot in the eye and ear, and asked the public to help detectives track the gunman down.

More information about what officials believe happened on the train and how police identified Russell should be revealed during his court appearance. CWB Chicago will post an updated story after the hearing concludes.

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CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com