A Marine veteran was shot and killed in a Chicago alley while trying to defend himself during an attempted robbery. The 19-year-old college student charged in the case has been released on electronic monitoring, despite prosecutors arguing he was complicit in the fatal encounter.
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CHICAGO, IL (4-minute read) — A tragic robbery in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood claimed the life of 35-year-old Marine veteran Tzaddi Cox, who was simply trying to bring food home to his family. The incident occurred just after midnight on May 3, when Cox was ambushed in an alley near 1211 North Massasoit by two men, one of whom was armed.
Cox, a licensed concealed carry holder, attempted to defend himself by firing a single shot from his legally owned 9mm handgun. Unfortunately, one of the suspects fired back, hitting Cox twice in the chest. He died at the scene.
One of the suspects, 19-year-old college student Jaden Pointer, has now been charged with murder. While he wasn’t the shooter, prosecutors say Pointer played an active role in the robbery—holding Cox at gunpoint and rifling through his pockets. Surveillance footage and GPS evidence linked Pointer to the crime, along with data showing he researched how police recover evidence in criminal investigations shortly after the killing.
In a surprising move, Judge Rivanda Doss denied a request to keep Pointer in jail while awaiting trial, instead releasing him under strict electronic monitoring. The judge acknowledged the seriousness of the crime but stated that the law required her to consider Pointer’s clean record, background, and the fact that he was not the actual shooter.
Prosecutors, however, painted a different picture. They argued that Pointer’s participation in a planned ambush led directly to Cox’s death, regardless of who pulled the trigger. Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Pekara emphasized the danger Pointer posed by helping corner an unsuspecting man in the middle of the night.
Pointer initially lied to police, claiming he accidentally shot himself after finding a firearm in an alley. However, his phone records and eventual confession unraveled that story. He later told investigators he thought they were just going to steal Cox’s food.
Cox had served honorably in the Marine Corps and worked as a security guard. He held both a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card and a concealed carry license. His death is another sobering reminder that even lawful self-defense doesn’t guarantee survival when caught off guard.
Chicago Self-Defense Case Sparks Controversy Over Suspect Release
This case has stirred debate over how courts handle accomplices in violent crimes. While Pointer didn’t fire the fatal shots, his participation in the armed robbery raises serious questions about accountability and public safety.
It also brings renewed focus on the reality that concealed carriers must stay alert, even in familiar neighborhoods. Cox had every legal right to carry his firearm, but he didn’t get the chance to use it effectively in a surprise encounter that cost him his life.
Safety Tip: Carrying a firearm legally comes with the responsibility of constant situational awareness. Always avoid poorly lit or isolated areas at night, and be prepared to recognize signs of surveillance or being followed. Defensive awareness starts before the firearm is ever drawn.
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