Tyrone Hardin, a 38-year-old African American male, was fatally shot on November 26, 2016, in Harvey, Illinois. Hardin was working as a contracted security guard for the Canadian National Railway when he encountered Rashad Williams, a 24-year-old African American male, who was fleeing from the police after crashing a stolen vehicle. The incident occurred on the railway property in the 15800 block of West Avenue. Williams and Hardin exchanged gunfire, resulting in Hardin being shot multiple times in the abdomen. He was pronounced dead at Advocate South Suburban Hospital later that evening.
The tragic event unfolded when Williams, who had a history of gun-related offenses, stole a car from a gas station near 159th and Halsted streets in Harvey. The car owner spotted Williams driving the stolen vehicle on November 26 and alerted the Harvey police. A pursuit ensued, leading to Williams crashing the stolen car near 159th Street and Park Avenue. Williams then fled on foot onto the Canadian National Railway property, where he encountered Hardin. Surveillance footage captured the exchange of gunfire between Williams and Hardin.
Rashad Williams was arrested on December 4, 2016, in Chicago Heights, after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Tyrone Hardin, attempted murder of another railroad employee, and possession of a firearm as a felon. Additionally, Williams faced charges for aggravated vehicle hijacking related to the car theft incident. During his court appearance, Williams, who had three prior convictions for gun crimes, was denied bail for the murder charge and had his bail set at $250,000 for the carjacking case.
The case against Williams proceeded with significant attention due to his criminal history and the circumstances of the shooting. Williams, who had been on parole for a 2014 gun conviction at the time of the incident, maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. The prosecution presented evidence, including the surveillance footage and the recovered firearm, to support the charges against Williams. The case highlighted the ongoing issues of gun violence and the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing repeat offenders.
