Man charged in Mag Mile shootout that wounded woman, broke bystander’s legs
A 22-year-old man, Jesus Abu Bakr, has been arrested on attempted murder charges in connection with a shooting near the Magnificent Mile in Chicago. The incident, which occurred on March 30, left two bystanders injured, including a woman who was struck in the thigh by a bullet.
According to prosecutors, surveillance footage, cellular data, and ballistics testing linked Abu Bakr to the shooting. CPD surveillance cameras captured his gray 2018 BMW near the intersection of Chicago and Wabash avenues at the time of the incident. Abu Bakr allegedly fired multiple shots at a red Dodge Charger, causing chaos and injuring innocent bystanders.
One of the victims, a 25-year-old woman walking on the sidewalk, was struck in the thigh and fell to the ground. The Charger, hit by bullets, lost control and crashed into parked cars, injuring another man. Investigators were able to trace the BMW to Abu Bakr through its license plate and his phone’s location data.
In a separate incident on April 17, officers observed Abu Bakr’s BMW leaving an area where gunfire was heard. They followed the vehicle until it crashed, and three individuals fled the scene. A search of the BMW uncovered a 9mm handgun and shell casings consistent with those found at the March 30 shooting scene. Forensic testing later confirmed that one of the casings matched the gun found in Abu Bakr’s possession.
A witness identified Abu Bakr as one of the gunmen involved in the shooting during a live lineup. Additionally, court records reveal that Abu Bakr has a pending case for aggravated assault and resisting police, as well as an active failure-to-appear warrant in LaSalle County.
The man prosecutors allege Abu Bakr was targeting in the March 30 shooting has a criminal history that includes carjacking and being a felon in possession of a weapon. Despite serving time in prison, he was released early and has since had his parole revoked.
The arrest of Jesus Abu Bakr sheds light on the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago and the impact it has on innocent bystanders. The investigation into the shooting near the Magnificent Mile serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and working towards creating safer communities for all residents.
