30-Jun-20 – A dispute between two groups of people outside a River North bar Saturday night spiraled into a shooting, prosecutors said as they announced charges in the case.

Kenderic Artis, age 21, is charged with attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm in connection with the shooting near North Dearborn Street & West Illinois Street. Artis and the 20-year-old victim did not know each other. They were with separate groups at Snickers Bar & Grill, 448 North State Street, prosecutors said.

Things started to unravel when the victim and a friend stepped outside the bar at around 10:00 p.m. That’s when one of Artis’ friends, who prosecutors described as “very intoxicated,” walked up to the pair and repeatedly tried to sell them marijuana. After being denied several times, the intoxicated man reportedly spat on the face and neck of the victim’s friend, which sparked a fight.

The victim pulled Artis (left) to the ground, after he allegedly became involved, and Artis threatened to kill the man after he discovered a handgun in Artis’ backpack, prosecutors said. Chicago Police Department

Police on patrol saw the men fighting and separated the groups. According to prosecutors, the victim and his friend went to move their car but found themselves antagonized again by Artis and another man who wanted to keep fighting.

Some of the victim’s friends emerged from Snickers and joined the simmering feud. Artis, who allegedly told police that he thought he saw the victim reach into his waistband for a gun, drew his own weapon and shot the victim five times, prosecutors said – three times in the legs and twice in the shoulder. As the victim limped away, Artis allegedly fired his gun again.

The victim was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition and remained hospitalized as of Monday morning.

Suspect flees to Loop but is caught

An on-duty firefighter at the Chicago Fire Department station at Dearborn & Illinois gave police a description of the gunman. Police arrested Artis a short time later near Dearborn & Lake in the Loop, and recovered a handgun from his backpack, prosecutors said.

During an interview with detectives, Artis admitted that he “pulled out the gun and did fire some shots,” according to prosecutors. Artis also allegedly admitted to discarding some of the spent shell casings from the shooting scene.

Artis has an Illinois Firearm Owner’s ID card but is not licensed to carry a concealed weapon, according to allegations made in court.

On Monday, Associate Judge Mary Marubio ordered Artis held without bail.

Courtney Smallwood, a public defender assigned to represent Artis during the bond hearing, said Artis was acting in self-defense.

“He thought he was in danger,” Smallwood said. “The victim was reaching into his waistband.”

As a juvenile, Artis was convicted of aggravated robbery in DuPage County.