Atlanta Man Disarmed and Beaten After Accidentally Firing Gun on Red Line Train
An incident aboard a Red Line train near Sox Park took a dangerous turn when an argument between two passengers escalated into violence, resulting in an unintentional firearm discharge and a physical altercation.
Rufus Hunley IV, a 30-year-old man from Atlanta, got into a heated dispute with a Chicago resident while on the train around 9:30 p.m. on April 27, according to a Chicago Police Department report. The altercation turned physical when the victim felt threatened and punched Hunley in self-defense.
Things took a dangerous turn when Hunley brandished a gun, pointed it at the victim, and threatened him with harm. In the struggle that ensued, the firearm accidentally discharged a round inside the train car, fortunately without injuring anyone.
Prosecutors revealed that the two men fought for control of the weapon, with the victim ultimately overpowering Hunley and disarming him. Despite Hunley’s attempts to regain control, the victim managed to hold him down until police arrived on the scene.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Hunley claimed to have a permit to carry firearms, but Chicago Police determined that he was not authorized to possess guns in Illinois, leading to his arrest.
At a court hearing, prosecutors sought to have Hunley detained pending trial, citing charges of unlawful possession of a handgun, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and battery. However, Judge Mary Marubio decided to release him with the condition that he surrender any firearms to law enforcement.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of escalating conflicts and the importance of responsible firearm ownership and use.
