A Chicago woman bravely defended herself by grabbing a gun from a robbery suspect Wednesday after three other people were robbed minutes away near a college campus.
In the shocking incident, 21-year-old Madeline “Maddie” was on her way home from classes at the University of Chicago and South University near 56th Street just before 3 p.m. when a masked, armed man snatched her cell phone. It was caught on surveillance camera footage.
“I was walking home from class when I saw a man wearing a mask approach me,” Maddie said. Said ABC7. “Then he came towards me and I thought, ‘I’ll just keep walking.’ But then we got into an argument.”
The video shows Maddy getting into an argument with the attacker, then grabbing the gun, pulling out the magazine and throwing it into the bushes.
NEW: A University of Chicago female student fights off a robber who tried to steal her cell phone with a gun.
Madeline, 21, grabbed the gunman’s gun, pulled out the magazine, grabbed her cell phone and jumped into the getaway car.
The thug looked stunned… pic.twitter.com/6aHKJeZ7st
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 19, 2024
Meanwhile, a male bystander sat on the ground several meters away and watched the man assault Maddy.
After Madi threw the magazine, the suspect started moving toward her again, but she was able to escape.
Local broadcasters reported that the masked robber appeared to be looking for a magazine and jumped into a dark-colored car parked nearby.
“I think it definitely started a fight, but I’m by no means advocating resisting armed robbery. Looking back, I don’t think it was really the right decision,” Maddie said. She’s just thankful she wasn’t hurt.
She also clarified that she did not blame the campus or bystanders, saying police “did a great job.”
“I think we just need to find the person who did this attack because they will do it again,” the student added, adding that she usually feels safe when walking on campus. .
A similar incident occurred just 10 minutes before Maddy was charged. Chicago police said four armed suspects ran up to two students who were walking in the 5600 block of South University and demanded their belongings.
A man rides his bicycle past Chicago police officers monitoring the North Avenue Beach area in Chicago, Illinois (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images).
“The suspects then got into a black Infiniti vehicle and drove away,” according to ABC7.
Then, just five minutes later, two armed suspects carried out the robbery. Another student lives in the 1300 block of East 56th Street. They fled in a four-door black car.
Fortunately, those students were not injured.
The University of Chicago Police Department issued a statement following a series of robberies, instructing students to “always be aware of your surroundings and be alert.” Do not resist armed robbery unless absolutely necessary. ”
“Avoid using mobile phones and other electronic devices on the streets. When walking, try to walk in groups or with friends. There is safety in numbers,” the statement said.
As of Friday, no arrests had been announced in connection with the robbery.
