CHICAGO — A judge on Monday sentenced a Chicago man to 31 years in prison for shooting a teenager aboard a Red Line train near Chinatown. Prosecutors said the shooting left the 16-year-old victim blind in one eye.
Elijah Russell, 25, was found guilty of attempted murder by a jury in June. Monday, Judge Thomas Byrne sentenced him to six years for the attempted murder charge plus a 25-year sentencing enhancement for discharging a firearm during the crime.
The shooting occurred shortly after Russell, the 16-year-old, and a group of mutual friends boarded a southbound Red Line train at Cermak-Chinatown around 2:05 a.m. on December 18, 2022.
Once on the train, Russell had a “play fight” with his girlfriend, which became more physical, and Russell started to hit his girlfriend harder, prosecutors said, prompting the 16-year-old to intervene.
As they fought, the victim pushed Russell against the side of the train and knocked Russell to the ground. At one point, the victim stood up and helped Russell to his feet.
That’s when Russell pulled out a gun and shot the boy in the face, prosecutors alleged. CTA surveillance cameras recorded the entire incident. Investigators also found a handgun that was likely used in the shooting near the train station.
Chicago police detectives released a portion of the train video to the public and asked for help identifying the gunman. Within hours, anonymous tipsters identified Russell to the police.
Editor’s note: This story was corrected to reflect that Russell was found guilty by a jury. A previous version stated he pleaded guilty .
