During a public hearing with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board, Marquettia Johnson shared her emotional ordeal over the loss of her husband, Raymond Harrison, and expressed mounting frustration over the circumstances surrounding his death.
“Raymond didn’t choose this fate; he was simply trying to get home to his family,” Johnson stated. “He never made it because there wasn’t adequate security on the trains to prevent such incidents.”
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The tragic shooting incident occurred just two days before Christmas, close to the Washington and Wells station in Chicago’s Loop area.
According to police reports, Pedro Villarreal was involved in an altercation with two men on the train while armed with a knife.
Authorities say Villarreal managed to seize a gun from one of the men and proceeded to open fire on them both.
In this tragic event, Harrison lost his life.
Johnson also said there was no acknowledgement from the CTA about the tragedy her family has endured.
“At least send their condolences. It’s happening too much for you not to recognize it or address it,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s comments struck a chord with Board members.
Chairman Lester Barclay said it’s unusual for them to hear directly from crime victims.
“I was overwhelmed by their grief, their loss,” Barclay said. There are ways you can pick up the phone and say, ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’”
This comes as the CTA Board submitted a revised security enhancement plan to the Federal Transit Administration after the first plan was rejected.
It includes a 75 percent increase in monthly system policing hours, aggressive crime reduction targets and expanded social service support.
The CTA Board chair signaled to the ABC7 Chicago I-Team Wednesday that it seems to be headed for approval.
“We have heard a little bit of information, but nothing that it’s crystal clear, that everything is a go. But they basically have accepted this plan at this point. And, but we recognize that there’s a lot of work to be done,” Barclay said.
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