Chicago South Side restaurant shooting leaves 44-year-old man fatally wounded as suspects remain at large

CHICAGO, Ill. — Authorities confirmed that a 44-year-old man lost his life Tuesday afternoon following a tragic shooting in front of a restaurant on the city’s South Side. According to the Chicago Police Department, the incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on September 9, 2025, near Joji Gyros in the 2500 block of East 79th Street.

Police reported that the victim had been standing on the sidewalk when three unidentified male suspects approached him. Without warning, one of the men produced a firearm and began firing multiple rounds at close range, striking the victim several times in the body. The sudden burst of violence shocked bystanders and disrupted the normally busy commercial area.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and discovered the man lying critically injured. He was transported by ambulance to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where medical staff worked urgently to save his life. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced deceased a short time later. Authorities have not released his name, pending notification of family members.

Crime scene investigators collected several shell casings scattered across the sidewalk and street. Officers cordoned off the area for several hours to document evidence, interview witnesses, and secure video surveillance footage from surrounding businesses. The discovery of multiple casings suggests that the weapon was fired repeatedly in a rapid exchange, intensifying the chaotic nature of the attack.

Witnesses described the suspects as three males who fled the scene immediately after the gunfire. Their direction of travel has not been publicly disclosed, and no arrests had been made by Tuesday evening. Detectives with the Chicago Police Department are leading the investigation and working to identify those responsible.

Officials are appealing to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Individuals can contact detectives directly or provide anonymous tips through the CPDTip.com platform. Police emphasized that community cooperation is essential in helping to solve crimes and bring justice to grieving families.

The South Side neighborhood where the incident occurred has experienced violent crime in the past, though residents say this particular shooting felt especially brazen given the time of day and the number of people present in the area. Community leaders expressed concern over the boldness of the act and renewed calls for strengthened safety measures in public spaces.

Local businesses were forced to close temporarily during the police investigation, with employees and customers sheltering inside until the scene was declared safe. Residents noted that the shooting adds to ongoing anxiety in the community, where concerns about public safety remain an ever-present issue.

The tragic loss of life has once again placed a spotlight on the continuing challenges of gun violence in Chicago. Law enforcement officials pledged to pursue every lead and hold those responsible accountable, while advocates stressed the need for long-term solutions to address the root causes of violence.

As detectives continue their investigation, the community waits for answers and closure. The identity of the victim will be released after next of kin are notified, and authorities are expected to provide additional updates in the coming days. For now, the South Side community is left mourning another life cut short by senseless violence.