CTA employee faces weapons charges after fatal shooting of West Loop doorman
A CTA employee is facing felony weapons charges in the fatal shooting of a 61-year-old doorman near the UIC/Halsted Blue Line station over the weekend.
A judge stated Tuesday that although this was an "unusual case," both the state's attorney's office and Chicago police found Luther Hopkins III acted in self-defense.
Hopkins, 24, of Calumet City, was working at the station as a customer service agent when John Flemister approached him and the two began arguing about a fare, according to prosecutors and a police report.
Hopkins eventually walked out of the station toward the pedestrian walkway, but the two continued yelling at each other, and Flemister followed, prosecutors said.
Two CTA security officers and another CTA employee arrived and tried to defuse the situation, prosecutors said. Hopkins allegedly threatened to "f— up" Flemister, who responded that he was "ex-military" and "will kill" Hopkins, prosecutors said.
Hopkins saw Flemister approach, "clutching a gun" in his duffel bag, prosecutors said. The 24-year-old then took a step back and fired his gun toward Flemister, who returned fire as he fell to the ground, prosecutors said.
Flemister was struck in the head, chest, back, hip and wrist, prosecutors said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Hopkins was arrested at the scene. He has a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card but does not have a concealed carry permit. He was charged with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon and released Tuesday with conditions.
The Chicago Transit Authority and the union representing CTA workers have not responded to requests for comment.
Flemister was a doorman at several West Loop buildings. He had both a valid FOID card and concealed carry license, according to
prosecutors.
Family and neighbors gathered at a vigil near the UIC/Halsted stop Monday to remember Flemister, whom they described as a "gentle, kind soul" who helped raise his sister's and niece's children.
"He was the best person ever," Flemister's niece Sabrina Holton told the Sun-Times on Monday. "I hope that we can find a funeral place that’s big enough for the love that he’s going to receive because everyone loves him.”
Contributing: Violet Miller