WEST ENGLEWOOD — A 48-year-old man is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly shooting a customer with a pellet gun during a drug dispute in West Englewood, leaving the victim paralyzed and fighting for his life.
The incident occurred on May 27 in the 6300 block of South Damen, where prosecutors say the victim and a witness approached Roy Armond at his tent residence, reportedly to purchase narcotics. The exchange quickly turned violent.
Confrontation Turns Violent
According to Cook County prosecutors, Armond told the men he had no drugs available, then struck the 50-year-old victim in the head with a Byrna self-defense gun — a commercially available pellet launcher marketed as “less-lethal protection.”
After the initial blow, Armond allegedly fired a single pellet into the victim’s right abdomen before threatening both men not to involve law enforcement. The witness later took the victim to a nearby hospital, where medical staff contacted Chicago police.
Victim’s Condition Critical
Hospital staff reported that the victim suffered severe internal damage, including paralysis in both legs and a detached kidney. He underwent emergency surgery on May 28. As of last week, doctors say he remains on a ventilator and is unable to speak…