A tragic incident occurred on Friday in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood when a postal worker was shot and killed while on duty. The shooting happened in front of a home on South Harvard Avenue just before 11:40 a.m.
According to Chicago police, neighbors saw a car drive towards the victim’s USPS truck before hearing at least 10 gunshots. The shooter, identified only as a male, approached 48-year-old Octavia Redmond, pulled out a gun, and fired multiple shots, hitting her several times.
Redmond was taken to Christ Hospital in very critical condition, where she was later pronounced dead. She had been a postal worker for over 15 years and was known as a beloved member of the community. A flag flew at half-staff outside a South Side union hall to honor her memory.
Kim Sanders, a neighbor who works at a group home nearby, expressed shock and devastation. “It can’t be true, not in this area, not on this block. It’s a lot of older people, and all of us know each other. My heart is shattered. She was like a mother to the neighborhood.”
Redmond’s USPS truck remained on the scene as police began their investigation. The offender fled westbound on 121st Street in a vehicle. So far, no one is in custody, and there is no word yet on a possible motive. Area Two detectives are currently investigating the case.
Elise Foster, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers, expressed her anger and sadness. “They need to be prosecuting them. We are federal employees. How dare you? And you just think you can get away with it? My members are scared to go to work. It’s a loss of life. She’s not going home to her family. I know her husband, who’s also a letter carrier and assistant union steward at the station. She was just a great person.”
Foster continued, “It was not worth it. You took a beautiful soul.”
Redmond’s impact on her community was profound. Kim Sanders shared how Redmond always had a smile on her face and was kind to everyone. “We all knew her, yes. She was like a mother to the neighborhood. She’d come up and down the block, deliver the mail, didn’t bother anybody. She was a very, very good mail lady.”
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service Chicago Division is offering a reward of up to $250,000 for information leading to the shooter’s arrest and conviction. Spencer Block from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service emphasized the seriousness of the situation. “One of our own, a postal employee, we take it as seriously as anything, because this is why we’re here.”
Anyone with information is urged to call 877-876-2455.
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Grief counselors will be available Saturday morning at Redmond’s home post office in Roseland to support those affected by this tragedy. The community remains in mourning, remembering Redmond as a dedicated worker and a cherished neighbor.
