Suburban Man Charged with Thanksgiving Day Murder in Garfield Ridge

Prosecutors say the suspect believed the victim was pulling on car doors in the neighborhood before the fatal shooting.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 6:47am

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A 31-year-old suburban man has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal Thanksgiving Day shooting of a 27-year-old man in Chicago's Garfield Ridge neighborhood. Prosecutors say the suspect, Richard Negron, believed the victim, Paul Kalec, was pulling on car doors in the area and confronted him, shooting Kalec nine times even after he fell to the ground. Police found no stolen items on Kalec, who was unarmed.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about residents taking the law into their own hands and using disproportionate force in response to perceived crimes, as well as the broader issue of gun violence and public safety in Chicago neighborhoods.

The details

According to court documents, Negron was captured on video and identified by a witness as the person who confronted and shot Kalec on November 27th. Prosecutors say Negron believed Kalec was pulling on door handles of parked cars in the neighborhood, intending to steal items. Negron then allegedly shot Kalec nine times, even after he had fallen to the ground. Police found no stolen items in Kalec's possession, and he was not armed.

  • The shooting occurred shortly after midnight on November 27, 2026 in the 5100 block of South Luna Avenue in Chicago's Garfield Ridge neighborhood.
  • Negron was ordered detained this week on a charge of first-degree murder.

The players

Richard Negron

A 31-year-old suburban man charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Paul Kalec.

Paul Kalec

A 27-year-old man who was fatally shot by Negron in Chicago's Garfield Ridge neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“Negron's response to his suspicions about Kalec was 'grossly disproportionate.'”

— Judge Deidre Dyer, Presiding Judge

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Negron's bail at a hearing next week.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for better conflict resolution and de-escalation training for residents, as well as stronger laws and enforcement around the use of deadly force, to prevent similar incidents of vigilantism and disproportionate violence in Chicago neighborhoods.