Man Fatally Shoots Teen Attempting Robbery in Chicago

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 27-year-old man fatally shot a 16-year-old boy who approached him with a handgun and demanded his belongings on Wednesday afternoon in the West Pullman neighborhood of Chicago. The man used his own handgun to shoot the teen, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Police recovered two handguns at the scene and are investigating the incident.

Why it matters

Gun violence and robberies remain a persistent issue in parts of Chicago, with the West Pullman neighborhood seeing higher than average rates of violent crime. This incident highlights the risks and dangers when firearms are involved in confrontations, even in cases of self-defense.

The details

According to police, the 27-year-old man was in the 11700 block of South Normal Avenue around 3:36 pm when the 16-year-old boy approached him with a handgun and demanded his belongings. The man then shot the teen with his own handgun. The injured teen was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead. The 27-year-old man was taken in for questioning by police, and two handguns were recovered from the scene.

• The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at around 3:36 pm.

What’s next

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and determine if the 27-year-old man acted in self-defense.