A 36-year-old man was fatally shot during an armed robbery at a Brighton Park gas station early Tuesday, and his family is now asking for answers as investigators work to identify those responsible.
Justin McCauley was killed shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday at the Thorntons gas station at 3450 S. California Ave., according to Chicago police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Authorities later identified McCauley as a Willowbrook resident.
McCauley was a regular customer at the station and had stopped there on his way to work. His family said he was getting his usual coffee and preparing for another day as a truck driver.
According to a police report obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, a white Hyundai carrying four men entered the gas station parking lot and circled the property. One of the men reportedly approached the store and asked an employee about using the restroom. McCauley, who had parked nearby, noticed the masked men and warned the clerk about them.
The clerk told McCauley she would lock the door after he left. As he was leaving the station, three other suspects reportedly got out of the vehicle and opened fire. McCauley was struck multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police and the medical examiner.
Police said the suspects took cash from the register before leaving the area. Investigators recovered 10 9mm shell casings at two locations around the scene, according to the police report cited by the Sun-Times.
Authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the killing. Area 1 detectives are handling the investigation.
The shooting has left McCauley’s family struggling to understand the loss. His father, Steve McCauley, described his son as a devoted family man and said the final conversation they shared was simple but meaningful: they told each other they loved one another.
Justin leaves behind a 6-year-old son. His family said they hope someone who knows something about the robbery will come forward and help investigators make an arrest.
His father also expressed gratitude for what he believes was his son’s instinct to warn the gas station employee after noticing the armed men.
McCauley’s employer, Midwest Foods, also mourned his death, describing him as someone who was beloved by colleagues and clients and calling the incident a senseless tragedy.
The gas station’s owner, BP, said no employees were injured and that the company was cooperating with authorities investigating the shooting.
The Brighton Park location has experienced another shooting in recent years. In September 2024, three people, including two employees, were shot at the same Thorntons after armed suspects chased a man into the business.
For McCauley’s family, however, the focus now is on remembering a father, son and brother while waiting for those responsible to be identified.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is being asked to contact Chicago police.
