Two charged after woman is shot, killed at ATM in southwest Chicago suburb
WORTH, Ill. (CBS) -- Two suspects faced charges Tuesday after a woman was shot and killed at an ATM in southwest suburban Worth.
Tamara Jailynn Johnson, 22, and Jason Jerry Joseph Johnson, 23, have each been charged with first-degree murder, Worth police said. During a court hearing on Wednesday, prosecutors said the suspects were connected to robberies around the area.
CBS 2's Charlie De Mar spoke to the victim's family Monday night about what happened. They said Jonnie Klein, 32, was simply taking out money at an ATM to pay her bills when she was shot and killed over the weekend.
Klein worked several jobs to make ends meet and provide for her two kids. It appears the shooting that took her life happened as part of an attempted armed robbery.
In the afternoon hours Saturday, Worth police were called to the 6800 block of West 111th Street for a person in need of assistance. They found the woman shot to death.
Prosecutors said the suspects were driving a red or orange-colored Lexus when they drove next to Klein, who was taking money out of the ATM drive-through. Surveillance footage showed one suspect, whom they believed to be Tamara Jailynn Johnson, approach Klein's car on the driver's side window where there was a struggle.
Klein was shot in the chest and later found unresponsive a couple of blocks away in her car.
Worth police and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force launched an investigation. The next day, two suspects from Harvey were arrested after they were found in the Lexus, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors also said the Lexus was painted over numerous times with different colors, which suggested the suspects were trying to evade police. The car was used in multiple crimes throughout Illinois and Indiana, police said.
The suspects were linked to several recent armed robberies in the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana, police said.
Relatives of Klein were still coming to terms with the senseless shooting that they said destroyed not only their lives, but those of her two children.
"They changed their lives," said cousin Candice Klein. "Somebody has to pay for that."
De Mar spoke Monday night to Klein's brother and sister-in-law, who said their family is ripped apart. They remember her as a devoted mother with a huge heart and an infectious laugh.
"It seems like Jonnie was the end of that spree," said the victim's sister-in-law, Bridgette McLain. "She took them out."
"Somebody took their life because they needed money more," said the victim's brother, Derek Klein. "They didn't get her money - she works too hard for it, and it cost her her life."
Worth police also told us they found several guns while making the arrest – one of which was used in the shooting that killed Klein.
Contrary to rumors, there were no children on the scene or involved in the incident, police said.
The family has started an online GoFundMe for the funeral and to support Klein's children.
Both suspects were being held without bail. Their next court date was scheduled for Nov. 28.
A vigil for Klein will be held on Saturday.
