Two additional suspects have been charged with murder after 29-year-old Kyle Bickham was shoved from a moving CTA Red Line train and killed, according to WMAQ-TV, which cited Chicago police.
Who was charged
WMAQ-TV reported that Christian McBounds, 18, faces one count of first-degree murder, two additional murder counts, one count of aggravated battery of a transit employee, and one count of mob action, citing Chicago police. The Chicago Sun-Times reported a judge denied McBounds pretrial release at a detention hearing; he is due back in court Oct. 7.
WMAQ-TV, citing police, also reported that Katlar Parchman, 19, was charged with murder. Cook County Jail records show Parchman was booked Saturday with no bond and has a court date Oct. 7.
WBBM-TV reported a 15-year-old girl was arrested Sept. 11 and charged with felony counts of first-degree murder, mob action, murder by other forcible felony, and aggravated battery to a transit employee. A judge ordered the girl detained until her next hearing in October, the station said.
What prosecutors say happened on the train
WFLD-TV, citing surveillance video and prosecutors, reported that Bickham was riding home from work on Sept. 7 when McBounds, Parchman, the 15-year-old girl, and another male boarded at the 95th Street stop. Prosecutors said Bickham spoke to Parchman, later argued with the 15-year-old, and spit on the girl, with some of the spit also hitting Parchman, according to WFLD.
Prosecutors said one of the males grabbed Bickham’s arm while the girl punched him, and that the four surrounded Bickham, punching him as they moved toward the back of the car. One of the men began choking Bickham while others, including Parchman, continued striking him and pulling at his head, WFLD reported.
Near the sliding doors, there was a brief pause as Bickham reached for headphones, prosecutors said, per WFLD. Two men then forced him into the corner while Parchman and the teen closed in. One of the men pulled the emergency lever to force the door open while the train was moving, according to WFLD. WMAQ-TV, citing prosecutors, reported that the 15-year-old grabbed Bickham by his head and shoulders and—helped by one of the males—threw him out of the moving train, where he was struck by a train traveling in the opposite direction.
WMAQ-TV also reported that witnesses allegedly heard Parchman say, “He shouldn’t have bothered us.”
WFLD noted that police initially said there were three attackers; prosecutors have described four people involved.
Where the case stands
The charges are allegations. McBounds and Parchman are being held ahead of October court dates, according to the Chicago Sun-Times and Cook County Jail records. The 15-year-old remains detained pending her next hearing in October, WBBM-TV reported.
