On the evening of November 2, 2017, 28-year-old African American male Sauvignon Watkins was fatally shot inside a Starbucks located at 4753 North Broadway in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. Watkins, a father of two from the Avalon Park neighborhood, had just stepped outside the coffee shop with a 24-year-old male companion when a masked gunman approached and opened fire. Both men attempted to flee back into the Starbucks, but the assailant followed, continuing to shoot inside the establishment.
Watkins was struck multiple times—in the neck, shoulder, back, bicep, and abdomen—and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooting also injured two others: a 12-year-old boy and the 24-year-old man accompanying Watkins. The boy, who was waiting inside the Starbucks for a ride home, was hit in the ankle, thigh, and lower back. He underwent surgery at Lurie Children's Hospital. The 24-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the torso and was treated at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
Investigations revealed that the incident was likely connected to a drug transaction that had occurred shortly before the shooting. Police found narcotics and a weapon on Watkins, and both he and the 24-year-old man were identified as documented gang members with prior histories with law enforcement. The 12-year-old boy was determined to be an innocent bystander with no connection to the drug deal.
Nearly a year later, in September 2018, 20-year-old Tikeo Sweeting was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection to the shooting. Surveillance footage captured Sweeting wearing a distinctive black jacket and jeans, and a ski mask that partially obscured his face. Multiple witnesses identified him as the shooter, and a third-party witness reported that Sweeting admitted to the crime.
After an initial mistrial, Sweeting was found guilty in April 2024 of murder and two counts of attempted murder. In October 2024, he was sentenced to 55 years in prison, with the requirement to serve the full term.
The Starbucks location where the shooting occurred was closed the following day to support employees and assist with the investigation. Although it reopened shortly after, the store was eventually closed permanently.
