WICKER PARK — A Wicker Park man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2021 murder of a man gunned down just one day after his birthday — a case solved with the help of enhanced surveillance and audio footage, prosecutors said.
Tommie Brown, 34, pleaded guilty to killing James Madrid on the 1400 block of West Division in exchange for a negotiated sentence, according to court records reviewed by CWB Chicago.
Late-Night Confrontation Turns Deadly
Around 2:30 a.m. on August 2, 2021, Madrid came across a woman in an argument with others on Division Street and tried to intervene. Prosecutors alleged the woman was Brown’s wife, and she struck Madrid with a purse, knocking him down.
A resident recorded the incident from a nearby window and provided the video to police, who sent it to a federal forensic lab for enhancement. The enhanced footage reportedly showed Madrid saying, “She fcked up,”* after the altercation.
Audio From Phone Call Links Brown To Scene
Investigators say the footage also captured the woman calling Brown and saying, “Tommie, this n**** stole on me, bro,”* — urging him to come “handle” the situation. The call helped establish motive and immediate connection to the incident.
Moments later, Brown arrived in a vehicle registered to his wife, chased Madrid as he tried to flee, and opened fire — hitting him six times in the back.
Forensic Evidence Confirmed Shooting
Police recovered eleven shell casings, all ballistically matched to a single gun, helping seal the case against Brown. He accepted the 25-year sentence rather than face trial.
Madrid, who had just celebrated his 34th birthday the day before, died at the scene.
Do video enhancements help bring justice — or do they raise questions about digital surveillance? Tell us what you think at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
