On December 20, 2023, Edward Fontaine Creamer, a 53-year-old security guard from Calumet City, was fatally shot while confronting a group of thieves at a shopping center in the Chatham neighborhood of Chicago. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. at the DTLR store located in the 700 block of East 87th Street. Creamer, who was assigned to protect the store, encountered two males and a female who were stealing merchandise.
When he attempted to stop them as they exited the store, one of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot Creamer three times.
Creamer was immediately transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The suspects, captured on video surveillance, were seen loading store merchandise into shopping baskets and a Nike bag before walking out of the store. The footage also shows the group fleeing the scene in a Nissan Maxima, which had been stolen the day before, bearing Illinois plate number CW 25426.
The Chicago Police Department has released the surveillance video and images of the suspects in an effort to identify them. The police are seeking information about the three individuals involved in the shooting, as well as a fourth person who the suspects met up with in the parking lot. As of the current date, no one has been taken into custody in connection with the crime. The public is urged to contact Detective McNichols or submit an anonymous tip through the CPD's tip line if they have any information about the suspects.
Edward Fontaine Creamer was remembered by his family and community as a beloved father of seven and grandfather of five. He was also a longtime martial arts and self-defense instructor who lived to help others. His daughter, Ashley, described him as a protector, very loving, and very forgiving, emphasizing that he did not deserve to die in such a manner. Creamer's death has left a significant impact on his family and the community, highlighting the tragic consequences of retail theft and the importance of identifying and apprehending those responsible.
