Chicago Man, 42, Charged With Killing Two Men in Southwest Side Fast-food Restaurant Dispute: Authorities

A man has been charged with murder after an employee shot and killed two men late Monday night after an argument at a fast-food restaurant on the Southwest Side.

Mehdi Medellel, 42, of the South Side of Chicago, was charged with two felony charges of first-degree murder Tuesday evening, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Medellel was arrested around 11 p.m. Monday in the 1700 block of West 79th Street after being identified as the man who shot and killed two victims — a 56-year-old man and a 55-year-old man — inside the JJ Fish & Chicken on the 7800 block of South Western Avenue in the Ashburn neighborhood around 10:30 p.m.

Medellel allegedly got into a fight before the gunshot occurred. According to CPD, Medellel then pulled out a revolver and shot both victims in the head. Both were pronounced deceased on the scene. According to police, Medellel, an employee at JJ Fish & Chicken, fled the restaurant after the shooting and was subsequently apprehended.

A waitress who declined to be identified but works at the JJ Fish & Chicken store informed WGN News that one of the victims was homeless. She stated she concluded her work on Monday before the shooting and was surprised when she received a call Tuesday morning detailing what transpired after she departed.

“I don’t know how this happened, why he did what he did, or what made him do what he (did),” the woman said of the shooter.

“If I were in there, he would have done it to me as well.” I always give people a chance and consider them to be wonderful people, but sometimes you simply have to keep an eye on them.”

Detectives were at the eatery collecting evidence until the early morning hours on Tuesday. Police have not revealed what sparked the argument, and the identities of the two victims have not been disclosed.