CHICAGO — A quiet late-night ride on a westbound CTA bus turned chaotic when an 18-year-old man opened fire after allegedly announcing his gang affiliation, according to Cook County prosecutors.
The shooting, which occurred around 11:33 p.m. on April 27, injured two passengers aboard the #77 Belmont route bus and has now led to multiple felony charges.
Details of the Confrontation: Victims Targeted Without Provocation
Prosecutors said the altercation began after a 40-year-old man boarded the bus near Portage Park with his girlfriend and sat in front of the suspect, identified as William Soto. The couple never interacted with Soto directly.
At some point during the ride, Soto stood up and addressed the man, proclaiming:
“I’m a Man,” — referencing his membership in the Maniac Latin Disciples gang, according to courtroom statements.
As the couple moved to exit the bus near Cicero Avenue, Soto allegedly threatened the man, stating he would “have something for him” once outside. The woman reportedly noticed a gun tucked in Soto’s waistband and pulled her boyfriend away from the rear exit doors.
Gunfire Through the Rear Doors: Two Shot in Moments of Panic
As the bus stopped and the couple tried to leave, Soto remained outside, drew his weapon, and fired into the rear doors of the bus, striking the 40-year-old man in the thigh, prosecutors said.
Soto allegedly then looked through the window, fired a second shot, and fired again as the bus began to pull away.
A 22-year-old bystander sitting inside the bus and wearing headphones was also struck, suffering a gunshot wound to the ankle. Neither victim was part of the initial exchange with Soto.
Aftermath and Investigation: Footage Led Police to Suspect
Both shooting victims were treated and released from local hospitals later that night.
Chicago police detectives reviewed CTA security footage, video from a nearby business, and Ring doorbell cameras from the area. The footage allegedly shows Soto fleeing the scene and running into his residence shortly after the shooting.
Soto was already on probation for a previous gun offense when the April shooting occurred.
Charges Filed: Suspect Held Without Bond
William Soto is now charged with:
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Two counts of attempted murder
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Aggravated discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle
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Unlawful use of a weapon
At a bond hearing, Judge Ankur Srivastava ordered him held without bail, citing him as a public safety threat.
Were you on the Belmont bus line that night or in the area of the incident? Have similar violent encounters on public transit made you feel unsafe? Share your thoughts in the comments at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
