Police now believe the CTA worker found fatally shot outside the agency’s 98th Street railyard entrance early Monday was killed during a carjacking, and Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest or indictment of those responsible.
Thomas “Kevin” Barlow, 57, an 18-year veteran of the CTA, was working the overnight shift when he stepped outside the railyard entrance in the 9900 block of South State Street to retrieve something from his black 2012 Mercedes GLK350, according to preliminary information. While he was there, investigators believe, someone shot Barlow and stole his SUV.
Someone found Barlow unresponsive around 4:15 a.m. and called 911. Paramedics arrived about 10 minutes later and discovered he had been shot, prompting police to establish a crime scene. Barlow was pronounced dead shortly before 5 a.m.
Police recovered the Mercedes several hours later in the 10200 block of South Parnell Avenue in the Washington Heights neighborhood, according to a CPD report.
No one called 911 to report hearing gunfire in the area, which is located on an overpass far from nearby homes and businesses. The location was previously monitored by the city’s ShotSpotter gunfire detection system until Mayor Brandon Johnson ended Chicago’s contract with the company in September 2024.
On Monday night, Cook County Crime Stoppers announced it is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for anonymous information that leads to the arrest or indictment of those responsible.
“A family is grieving the loss of a loved one, and someone in our community has information that can help bring justice to this case,” said Paul Rutherford, executive director of Cook County Crime Stoppers. “You do not have to give your name, you do not have to speak directly with police, and you may be eligible for a cash reward if your anonymous information helps solve this crime. We are asking the public to do the right thing and help investigators hold those responsible accountable.”
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-535-7867 or by visiting CPDTIP.com and using case number JK312771.
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