CHICAGO — A 49-year-old man is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting a longtime acquaintance in broad daylight — directly in front of a Chicago police surveillance camera — and then leading officers on a downtown chase that ended in a crash, according to prosecutors.
Bold daylight shooting recorded on police camera
Prosecutors allege that Obbie Sanders, who has a long record of felony convictions and walks with a cane due to past gunshot injuries, parked his Audi SUV in the 800 block of North Cambridge Avenue around 9:38 a.m. He was seen on camera walking around, talking on the phone, and interacting with neighbors.
Moments later, 46-year-old Darrin Carter arrived in an SUV. Sanders reportedly tucked away his phone, approached Carter’s vehicle, and — while standing directly in view of a Chicago Police Department surveillance camera — pulled a handgun from his waistband and opened fire.
Cameras from the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and other CPD systems also recorded parts of the shooting, said Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara in a detention proffer, as reported by CWB Chicago.
Victim drove away, then collapsed near police officers
After being shot in the back, Carter managed to drive a short distance to where officers were stationed just half a block away. He quickly became unresponsive and was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Following the shooting, Sanders allegedly returned to his Audi. Two people he had spoken to earlier approached the vehicle, retrieved an object from the passenger side, and fled — one of them appearing to carry something in his waistband, prosecutors said.
Chase ends in crash near Upper Wacker Drive
Using real-time surveillance and license plate reader technology, CPD officers tracked Sanders driving south on Lake Shore Drive. When marked police vehicles attempted to stop him on Michigan Avenue, he allegedly made a U-turn, sped off onto Upper Wacker Drive, and crashed into multiple cars before hitting a concrete barrier due to a failing tire.
Despite the crash, he attempted to continue driving before ultimately being taken into custody.
Evidence recovered from crime scene and vehicle
Investigators recovered three .45 caliber shell casings at the shooting site and two bullets inside Sanders’ Audi, according to the state’s proffer. Carter’s sister and cousin — both familiar with Sanders — identified him from still images pulled from surveillance video footage.
Sanders has reportedly made no statements to police.
Extensive criminal history
Sanders’ prior convictions span decades and include:
- Aggravated DUI (2012)
- Armed habitual criminal (2011)
- Attempted armed robbery (2003)
- Possession of a defaced firearm (2002)
- Unlawful use of a weapon by a felon (1997)
Judge John Hock granted the state’s request to detain Sanders pending trial on first-degree murder and murder committed during the course of a forcible felony charges.
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