Chicago police are now confirming that armed robbers are responsible for shooting and killing a man outside the California Clipper bar in Humboldt Park over the weekend.
Marshall Russell, 32, a well-liked server at Owen & Engine, was shot multiple times by robbers who confronted him on a sidewalk in the 1000 block of North California around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, a CPD spokesperson said Tuesday.
Humboldt Park is one of several Chicago neighborhoods that have been hard-hit by a relentless wave of armed robberies in recent months.
Russell, who lives in the neighborhood, had just left the California Clipper when three robbers got out of a vehicle with guns and demanded his property, a Chicago police spokesperson said. The robbers shot him during the crime, then escaped in the car, possibly a silver or gray Hyundai or Kia.
At least two armed robberies were reported in West Town before the killers targeted Russell. It is not known if there are any links between the crimes.
Police said a 39-year-old man was carjacked while washing his car at a carwash in the 2300 block of West Grand around 12:10 a.m. Sunday. Three men displayed guns, robbed him, and drove away with his white Honda Accord.
About an hour later, three men were robbed as they entered a building in the 2000 block of West Chicago Avenue, police said. A group of masked gunmen confronted the victims and took their property before fleeing in a small gray vehicle.
The Near West (12th) Police District, which serves much of Humboldt Park, logged 78 robberies in the four weeks ending Sunday, according to CPD records. That’s 90% more than during the same timeframe last year.
Most of the robberies have been committed by roving bands of masked gunmen who pull off several holdups in quick succession. Wearing masks and hoodies, they frequently travel in easy-to-steal Hyundai and Kia models, jumping out to target people on the street.
At least nine robberies were reported in Humboldt Park and Logan Square during an hour-long spree on July 7. One day earlier, six holdups were reported. And more were reported on Sunday afternoon.
