A recent armed robbery in the Chinese community of Bridgeport in Chicago has left residents outraged. The incident involved three robbers who targeted a Chinese individual, accompanied by a child, in broad daylight and proceeded to strike the victim on the head with a gun.
According to police footage released, at around 3:16 p.m. last Friday (October 31st), a Chinese father, Ting Chui, was driving home with his daughter. As he parked his car in front of his house and was about to exit the vehicle, a gunman swiftly approached, pointing the gun at Chui’s head and hitting him in the face with its butt. A second assailant then joined in to assault Chui and rob him of his belongings, while a third suspect drove off with Chui’s car.
The sudden tragedy left Chui’s daughter in shock, frozen in fear, still clutching her Halloween candy bag.
The violent robbery took place on Halloween afternoon near 26th Street and Emerald Avenue, where Chui was picking up his daughter from school.
Chui recounted to local media, “My daughter was crying in fear at the time, and I was helpless. I couldn’t move while the gun was pointed at my face.”
“They took my phone, car, and wallet. They took everything,” Chui added.
Police later found the stolen car about five miles away from the crime scene.
Chui had planned to take his daughter out for “trick-or-treating” that Friday, but the robbery completely disrupted their plans.
“We’ve been having trouble sleeping these past few days, we’re still in shock,” he shared, mentioning that his daughter’s emotional state has slightly improved.
Local residents expressed anger at the heinous incident and held a spontaneous community rally on Sunday demanding increased police patrols.
One resident told NBC Chicago, “Enough is enough. We need government officials to step up and protect our neighbors. This is outrageous.”
Paul Rutherford, Executive Director of the Cook County Crime Stoppers, denounced the incident in a statement, calling it a brazen daytime attack that endangered an adult and a child.
“The child should have been joyfully out getting candy, not witnessing their father being robbed. We urge the community to seek justice,” he emphasized.
The Crime Stoppers is offering a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects, with community members additionally pledging $5000 as a bonus for details that result in the apprehension and conviction of the perpetrators.
According to Chui, the three suspects were not wearing masks during the robbery. As of Sunday evening, no arrests had been made by the police.
Individuals can anonymously provide tips by calling (800) 535-7867 or by visiting www.CPDTIP.com.