An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder over the death of Kyle Bickham, who prosecutors allege was pushed from a moving Chicago Transit Authority Red Line train earlier this month.
Christian McBounds is the third person to face charges in connection with the fatal attack, which happened near the 69th Street station on 7 September. He was arrested in the 11200 block of South Carpenter Street and was due to appear in court for a detention hearing on Wednesday.
Bickham, 29, was travelling home from work when he became involved in an altercation with four passengers, according to prosecutors. The group included McBounds, 19-year-old Katlar Parchman, a 15-year-old girl and another man.
Alleged attack on the CTA Red Line
Prosecutors allege that the confrontation escalated after Bickham spat at the teenage girl and Parchman. The group then surrounded him, punching and striking him as they forced him towards the rear of the train.
One of the men allegedly pulled an emergency lever, opening the sliding doors while the train was still moving. Prosecutors say McBounds and the teenage girl pushed Bickham through the doorway, while Parchman and the other man stood nearby.
Bickham fell on to the tracks, came into contact with the electrified third rail and was then struck by a southbound train. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police initially believed he may have jumped from the train, but investigators later concluded that he had been pushed.
McBounds faces one count of first-degree murder, two counts of murder during the commission of another forcible felony, aggravated battery involving a transit employee or passenger, and mob action involving force by two or more people.
Parchman and the 15-year-old girl have also been charged in the case. Parchman was ordered to remain in custody after a court hearing, while the teenager is being dealt with in the juvenile court system.
Investigators identify suspects
Detectives linked Parchman to the incident through her Ventra travel card, which was used at the 95th Street station, and an Instagram story showing her in clothing matching surveillance footage from the train.
She later identified herself, the teenage girl and the two men in still images taken from CTA security video, prosecutors said. One other man identified as being involved has not been charged.
Bickham’s family said he had been returning from an Amazon warehouse in Cicero to his home in Lansing when he was attacked. Relatives have questioned how the doors of a moving train could have been opened and have called for anyone with information to come forward.
The investigation remains ongoing.
