On January 6, 2020, 23-year-old Chikiris Murphy, an African American male, was tragically shot and killed in University Park, Illinois. Murphy was shopping at Mike’s Food Mart with his sister’s boyfriend when he was aggressively confronted by Justin Regular, also 23 years old, inside the store. Despite the confrontation, Murphy proceeded to purchase his items and exited the store. However, Regular was lying in wait outside. As Murphy continued to walk towards him, Regular pulled a handgun from his jacket pocket and shot Murphy multiple times. Murphy was taken to Franciscan St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into Murphy's death led to the arrest of Justin Regular, who was identified by multiple eyewitnesses as the shooter. Regular was charged with first-degree murder. The case proceeded through the legal system, and on March 11, 2024, Regular pled guilty to the charges. Subsequently, on April 3, 2024, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Circuit Judge Sarah Jones. The sentence will be served at 100 percent, with an additional three years of mandatory supervised release. Regular also received credit for 1,520 days served in jail.
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow emphasized the senselessness of the act, stating that Regular "snuffed out the life of a young man in his prime through this senseless and tragic act of gun violence." The case highlights the devastating impact of gun violence and the importance of justice for the victims and their families. The University Park Police Department, along with the Major Crimes Task Force, played a crucial role in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
