Ramen cook charged in murder at Bronzeville McDonald’s
A 23-year-old man charged as the gunman in a deadly McDonald’s shooting in Bronzeville — which was allegedly witnessed by 10 children — was denied bail Thursday.
Demetrius Gibson faces a charge of firstdegree murder in the March 12 shooting of 26-year-old Deshawn Rogers inside a McDonald’s restaurant at 740 E. 47th Street, according to Cook County prosecutors.
Judge John F. Lyke Jr. called the circumstances that led to the shooting “totally senseless” when he ordered Gibson held without bail.
“I’m at a loss for words,” the judge said, noting the children at the restaurant.
Prosecutors said Gibson was working as a sales representative for a marketing company on the day of the shooting and had set up a table in front of the McDonald’s to solicit customers with his brother and a friend.
Shortly after 4 p.m., Deshawn Rogers arrived at the restaurant to eat with a friend and was solicited by Gibson’s group as he went inside, leading to a “brief” exchange of words between the two groups.
Gibson followed Rogers inside, and a fight ensued. Rogers put Gibson’s brother in a headlock and Gibson came up behind him, pulled out a 9mm handgun and fired a shot into Rogers’ back, then another shot, prosecutors said. Rogers, who lived in the neighborhood, died about an hour later.
Prosecutors said Gibson was identified as the shooter by McDonald’s employees and the shooting was captured on surveillance cameras.
Gibson was charged with unlawful use of a weapon during a Nov. 3 traffic stop. Ballistics testing found the 9mm gun matched two shell casings found at McDonald’s, prosecutors said. Gibson was taken into custody Tuesday at the Skokie Courthouse in connection with the shooting.
An assistant public defender for Gibson said he was working as a line cook at a West Loop ramen restaurant and attends church.