John Collins, a 28-year-old African American male from Waukegan, Illinois, tragically lost his life on October 22, 2016. The incident occurred during an altercation in a Waukegan alley, where Collins was fatally shot by Undra Bailey, a 33-year-old African American male and a long-time friend of Collins. The confrontation escalated when Collins, who was significantly larger and had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit, rushed at Bailey and pushed him, intending to fight. Bailey responded by shooting Collins once in the chest, leading to his death.
Following the incident, Bailey was arrested two days later and charged with second-degree murder. During the trial, Bailey claimed he acted in self-defense, but the judge dismissed this argument, citing surveillance footage that contradicted Bailey's account. The footage showed that Collins did not pose an immediate threat that would justify lethal force. Despite this, the judge acknowledged that Bailey likely feared for his life due to Collins' aggressive behavior and physical advantage.
Bailey's legal history also played a role in the case. He had previously been incarcerated for an unrelated shooting incident in 2011, where he shot a man twice in the face following an argument. This history of violence influenced the court's decision, although Bailey was ultimately found guilty of second-degree murder rather than first-degree murder. The judge's decision was influenced by witness testimonies and Collins' aggressive behavior towards Bailey and others in the months leading up to the incident.
In September 2020, Bailey was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the second-degree murder of John Collins. The sentence reflected the severity of the crime and Bailey's prior criminal record. Bailey will be eligible for parole halfway through his sentence, but the tragic loss of John Collins has left a lasting impact on his family and the Waukegan community.
