An 18-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a veteran Chicago police employee, who was fatally shot last month while taking groceries out of his car.
William Cochran, of the 11300 block of South Loomis Street, was charged Friday in the murder of 59-year-old John “Buck” Buckner. He also faces a charge of aggravated battery with discharge of a firearm, according to police.
Buckner was unloading groceries from his car near his home in the 11500 block of South Church just before 9 p.m. on Sept. 16 when three males rode by on bicycles opened fire along the block, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
He was with his wife and grandson at the time of the shooting, standing next to the new car he had just purchased for himself the day prior.
“[The victim] and his wife and 11-year-old grandson hit the ground to try and avoid the gunfire,” Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Plzekota said in court Friday.
Buckner was shot in the abdomen, and was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 10:25 p.m., authorities said.
Buckner was a civilian employee of the CPD was assigned to the general support division, according to police. He had worked for the department for 25 years.
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Another man, 41, was standing on a front porch on the same block when he was struck by gunfire. He taken to Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition, police said. Buckner and the man weren’t together at the time the shooting and were randomly struck by the shots.
Police said information they received from witnesses was crucial to making an arrest in the case.
“It was a tough road,” said Deputy Chief Eugene Roy. “Our detectives put a lot of time into this and solving the case.”
Police allege Cochran was one of the gunmen in the shooting.
They said the motive for the shooting remains unclear, though they do not believe Buckner was the intended target.
“Whether you are a sworn officer or a civilian, you are a part of our family,” Roy said. “And we support each other.”
Cochran’s bond was set at $1 million dollars Friday. Detectives are still searching for the two other suspects involved.
