Chicago Man Charged in Walmart Shooting That Injured Two

UPDATE: A Chicago man, Yoseph Barnes, has been charged in a shocking shooting incident that left two people injured at a Walmart in Evergreen Park on October 25, 2023. This urgent development has sent ripples of fear through the community as authorities confirm the details surrounding the attack.

Just after 2:56 p.m., police received reports of an active shooter at the Walmart located at 2500 W. 95th St. Officers arrived to find a 23-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds to his leg and a 70-year-old woman struck in the foot. The chaos unfolded as the man entered the store, only to be pursued by Barnes, who was armed with a fully loaded Glock 19 handgun.

Witnesses reported that Barnes exited a gray Hyundai parked in the lot, chasing after the victim while firing shots. After the shooting, Barnes fled but was later apprehended in the 9300-block of Country Club Drive, where he attempted to hide in a garbage can.

Authorities reported that the shooting was witnessed by multiple shoppers and captured on the store’s security cameras. In a dramatic turn, the suspect dropped his firearm during a scuffle with his victim before escaping through a back exit. The gun was recovered at the scene.

In a court appearance, a Cook County judge described the incident as a “horrific act of violence.” Barnes, who is on parole and has a criminal history of possessing a machine gun, faces serious charges, including attempted murder. His defense team claims he lives with his godmother and is expecting a child, currently enrolled in a sanitation program.

The motives behind this brazen attack remain unclear, as investigators note that Barnes had no apparent connection to the targeted victim. Fortunately, despite his injuries, the 23-year-old man is reported to be in stable condition. The elderly woman has since been treated and released.

As this story develops, officials urge the community to remain vigilant. Local residents are left shaken as they process the unsettling reality of violence in their neighborhoods. Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding this shocking event.