Justin Hill, a 28-year-old man from Dolton, Illinois, died on September 30, 2026, in a shooting that unfolded during what investigators determined was a planned armed robbery he was attempting to commit. The incident took place in the parking lot of the upscale Oakbrook Center mall in the western Chicago suburb of Oak Brook.
The fatal encounter began around noon that Wednesday when a meeting was arranged to purchase four limited-edition Swatch watches, valued at nearly $450 each.
The buyer, driving a black Mercedes-Benz with two other passengers, had brought approximately $2,000 for the transaction. Also in the Mercedes was Chance Jamerson, a 29-year-old woman who, according to authorities, was secretly coordinating an ambush with Hill. As the Mercedes parked near the L.L. Bean store at about 12:01 p.m., Jamerson allegedly sent a series of text messages to Hill, providing their location and instructing him to block their vehicle.
A few minutes later, Hill arrived in a white Nissan Rogue, positioning it to block the Mercedes from leaving. He then exited his vehicle, approached the rear passenger side of the Mercedes, opened the door, and pointed a handgun at the occupants, demanding, "give me all that s*." The driver of the Mercedes got out of his car and began to wrestle with Hill for the gun. As they struggled, Jamerson allegedly jumped out of the Mercedes and tried to assist Hill. During the fight, the driver managed to gain control of the firearm and discharged it.
The gunfire struck both Hill and Jamerson. Hill was pronounced deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound. Jamerson was also wounded and was transported to a local hospital for medical attention. When Oak Brook Police Department officers arrived at approximately 12:09 p.m. in response to a call of shots fired, they found Hill lying in the parking lot. The three intended victims had fled in the Mercedes and were located a short time later at the Oakbrook Terrace Police Department.
The investigation was handled by the Oak Brook Police Department in close coordination with the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Investigators utilized license plate reader technology to quickly track the movements of the vehicles involved. After a thorough review of the evidence, which included the text messages between Jamerson and Hill, authorities concluded that the shooting was a justified act of self-defense. The three individuals who had been in the Mercedes were initially taken into custody but were released without charges. The State's Attorney's office determined that under Illinois law, the driver was authorized to use deadly force to prevent the commission of a forcible felony, in this case, armed robbery.
On October 5, 2026, the DuPage County State's Attorney announced charges against Chance Jamerson. She was charged with three counts of Attempt Armed Robbery, a Class 1 Felony. Prosecutors alleged she played a key role in orchestrating the crime. "It is alleged that Ms. Jamerson, working in coordination with Mr. Hill, arranged to rob at gunpoint an innocent man of approximately two thousand dollars and two other innocent individuals of their personal property," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. On October 13, a judge granted the state's motion to deny Jamerson pre-trial release.
The shooting was an isolated incident, and the mall returned to normal operations the same day. Oak Brook officials highlighted the role of technology in the investigation and reassured the public about the safety of the popular shopping destination. "The response to this incident was swift, coordinated and professional," said Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis. As of October 2026, the criminal case against Chance Jamerson was proceeding through the DuPage County court system. Her next court appearance was scheduled for October 23, 2026.
