Introduction to a Tragic Event
More than 40 family members and West Loop residents gathered at the UIC/Halsted Blue Line station Monday night to mourn the death of John Flemister, a beloved area doorman, who was killed over the weekend.
The Life and Legacy of John Flemister
Flemister, 61, worked the front desk at several area residential buildings and was heading home after work Saturday when he was shot and killed near the UIC/Halsted Blue Line station. The group gathered for a moment of silence before Bruce Butler, one of the residents in the West Loop building, read Maya Angelou’s “When Great Trees Fall.” The group then took turns recounting memories of Flemister, including the way he kept treats behind his desk for the building’s many dogs, or how he calmed residents in dire situations.
John Flemister on his birthday with the dog of a West Loop resident. Flemister used to keep doggy treats behind his desk and would console residents when they were stressed.
A Family’s Grief
His niece Sabrina Holton said she can’t understand why anyone would want to do harm to her uncle.
“He loved his job to death. The residents loved him to death,” his niece told the Sun-Times earlier Monday. “He was the best person ever … and I hope that we can find a funeral place that’s big enough for the love that he’s going to receive, because everyone loves him.”
“He helps everyone,” she added. “He’s not confrontational. He’s the sweetest man to walk this earth.”
Flemister lived in the same West Loop building as his niece, in the unit right below hers. When police called to tell her about the shooting she didn’t believe them. She ran to knock on his door, which he kept open when he was home for anyone who wanted to stop by.
She knew something was wrong when she found the door locked.
“I don’t even know how I’m gonna survive,” she said.
Sabrina Holton, the niece of John Flemister, speaks at a gathering in her uncle’s honor. Holton and Flemister lived in the same West Loop building. She says his door was always open to welcome visitors.
The Incident
A Senseless Act of Violence
The shooting occurred just after 6 p.m. Saturday on a pedestrian bridge in the 400 block of South Peoria Street, Chicago police said.
John Gorey was walking his dogs near the bridge when he saw three people arguing. He told the Sun-Times he could not tell if there was any animosity. The argument continued for several minutes, then Gorey heard loud pops. He said he turned and saw a younger man, who appeared to be wearing a neon CTA vest, firing shots at Flemister.
“He was probably about 5 feet away from the victim, and he was just firing shot after shot after shot,” Gorey told the Sun-Times.
Police reported there was “an exchange of gunfire” between Flemister and the 24-year-old gunman. Flemister was struck in his head and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The 24-year-old remained at the scene and was taken into custody. As of Monday afternoon, he had not been charged.
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