Tsvetanka Kostadinova, a 43-year-old woman, was tragically killed on October 12, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred during a shooting rampage by Krysztof Marek, a 66-year-old man facing eviction from his condo. Marek entered Kostadinova's apartment, where she was having dinner with her husband, Ivaylo Popov, also 43, Popov's mother, Iskra Pourel-Popova, 65, and her boyfriend, David Hanik, 61.
Marek allegedly fired numerous shots from a .40 caliber firearm, killing all four individuals at the dinner table.
After the initial shooting, Marek proceeded to a second apartment upstairs, where he shot Jolanta Topolska, a 53-year-old woman, in the abdomen. As Topolska attempted to flee, Marek followed her and shot her again, this time in the back of the head, resulting in her death. Marek was arrested at the scene and later charged with five counts of first-degree murder.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but Marek left multiple cryptic letters in his condo, expressing grievances with his neighbors. These letters, written in Marek's native Polish, were found by police after the attack. Marek was described by a Criminal Court Judge as "evil on steroids" and was ordered held without bail.
The tragic incident has left a lasting impact on the community, with many neighbors recalling previous confrontations with Marek. Despite his grievances, the violent act shocked the neighborhood, which is known for its generally quiet atmosphere.
