Lakisha Roby, a 27-year-old African American woman, was tragically killed on March 14, 2018, in Markham, Illinois. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. at a BP gas station located at 167th Street and Pulaski Road. Lakisha Roby was fatally shot in the back and was pronounced dead shortly after at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Her death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The primary suspect in the case was her estranged husband, Lynn
Washington, a 46-year-old African American man. Washington was accused of following Lakisha Roby to the gas station after an altercation at a bar in Oak Forest. According to witnesses and surveillance footage, Washington approached Roby at the bar, grabbed her by the neck, and later followed her to the gas station. There, he allegedly fired a handgun at Roby and a witness, striking Roby. Despite her injuries, Roby managed to call 911 and identified her ex-husband as the shooter.
Following the shooting, Washington abducted the couple’s two children, aged 2 and 3, prompting an Amber Alert. The children were later found safe at a relative’s home in Harvey, Illinois. Washington was taken into custody the following day and faced charges of first-degree murder and parental abduction. He was held without bond during a court hearing.
Washington had a history of violence and was under an order of protection, which prohibited him from contacting Roby and their children. This tragic event highlighted the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of protective measures for victims. The case proceeded through the legal system, with Washington facing serious charges for his actions on that fateful night.
