A Chicago concealed carry holder defended herself during a failed carjacking attempt by shooting a teen rapper, Kamari Bonslater, who was already out on pretrial release. Prosecutors now say the rapper and accomplices opened fire during the botched robbery before he was shot multiple times and arrested.
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CHICAGO, IL (3-minute read) — A 17-year-old from the south suburbs, known in the local rap scene as “4 Block Lil Mari,” has been arrested after a botched carjacking in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. Prosecutors say Kamari Bonslater was shot by a woman he attempted to rob at gunpoint; a woman who turned out to be a legally armed concealed carry holder.
The attempted carjacking happened on September 7 near the 6700 block of South Cregier Avenue. Initially reported as a drive-by shooting, police now say it was actually a failed robbery attempt that spiraled into gunfire on both sides.
According to officials, Bonslater and multiple accomplices approached a parked vehicle where a 34-year-old woman and her 31-year-old friend were sitting. Prosecutors allege Bonslater pointed a firearm at them and tried to pull open the passenger door. The woman, who holds a concealed carry license, drew her own firearm in response. Bonslater fired first, hitting her in the leg, but she returned fire, striking him several times before driving off.
The woman’s friend later identified the gunman as a local rapper using his stage name. Surveillance footage confirmed Bonslater’s presence at the scene and captured the moment he was shot. The video also shows accomplices dragging him into a nearby alley as he collapsed. Prosecutors say those same individuals opened fire on the fleeing car.
Bonslater, who has the word “Murda” tattooed on his neck, now faces serious charges: attempted second-degree murder, attempted vehicular hijacking, and aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm. At the time of this incident, he was already on pretrial release for charges involving a stolen vehicle and an illegal machine gun.
A Cook County judge has ordered him held without bail as he awaits trial. This case marks the 20th time in 2025 that someone on felony pretrial release has been charged with trying to kill or successfully killing someone in Chicago, according to cwbchicago.com.
Chicago Self-Defense and Concealed Carry: A Harsh Reminder
This incident reflects growing concerns among citizens over violent crime and the importance of personal protection. Concealed carry laws exist to allow law-abiding citizens the ability to defend themselves in life-threatening situations, and this case demonstrates both the dangers and responsibilities that come with carrying a firearm. Although Illinois isn’t likely to ever become a constitutional carry state, they did finally become the last to allow lawful concealed carry.
Safety Tip: If you choose to carry a firearm for self-defense, make sure you’re trained to react under pressure. Practice regularly, understand your state’s laws, and always prioritize avoiding confrontation whenever possible.
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