In the quiet early hours of Friday, April 4, 2025, a tragedy unfolded on South Boulevard in Oak Park, Illinois, that left a family shattered and a community in mourning. Corey Gates, a 54-year-old Army veteran who had served his country during the Gulf War, was fatally shot at 1:23 a.m. while heading home after a long night shift as a phlebotomist. Known for his resilience and courage, Corey didn’t go down without a fight. As a group of armed men attempted to steal his car, he resisted with the same determination that had defined his life, only to lose it in a senseless act of violence. He was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was pronounced dead at 2 a.m., leaving behind a legacy of bravery and a twin sister who now grapples with an unimaginable loss.
Corey Gates was more than just a statistic in the rising tide of carjackings plaguing the Chicago area. To his twin sister, Cathleen Gates, he was a constant presence, a fighter in every sense of the word. The two had shared a bond that spanned their entire lives, from childhood through his years of military service and beyond. Speaking through tears, Cathleen recalled their last conversation, which took place just the day before his death. “I just talked to him yesterday,” she said, her voice breaking. “I didn’t know it would be the last time.” For her, the pain is compounded by the randomness of the attack — Corey had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time, stepping off the CTA Green Line after work when he was targeted.
The details of that fateful morning paint a picture of a man who refused to be a victim. Family members say Corey had parked his car near the station and was getting inside when the group of assailants approached. What followed was a struggle, a desperate bid to protect what was his. Witnesses reported seeing five men dressed in black fleeing the scene, their footsteps echoing in the stillness of the night. Oak Park police responded swiftly to the sound of gunshots, arriving to find Corey gravely wounded on the pavement. Their investigation led them to a group of suspects — three juveniles and two adults — spotted running eastbound on Pleasant Street from Cuyler Avenue. By Friday afternoon, a sixth suspect, another adult male, was also in custody, though no weapons have yet been recovered from the scene.
Corey’s death has sent shockwaves through Oak Park, a suburb known more for its historic charm than its crime. Residents like Edna Capinanes expressed their sorrow and hope for justice. “It’s so sad that it happened,” she said, standing near the site where police continued their search for evidence, deploying drones and combing through nearby streets. For Corey’s family, the loss is a bitter reminder of the dangers that persist even in familiar places. Cathleen described her brother as a man who “served the country and came back over here to get took out by some goons,” her words a raw reflection of her grief and anger. She spoke of his dedication to his job, his quiet life in South Holland, and the pride he took in serving others, both in uniform and as a civilian.
The incident occurred just a half-mile from where Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins was shot and killed in November, a stark coincidence that underscores the vulnerability of even those who call this community home. As detectives work to piece together the events leading up to Corey’s death, the arrests offer a glimmer of hope for accountability. Yet, for Cathleen and the rest of Corey’s loved ones, no amount of justice can fill the void left by his absence. “All I had was murdered this morning, and it’s devastating,” she said, her plea simple but resolute: “I just want them brought to justice. That’s all I want.”
Corey Gates’ story is one of valor, both on the battlefield and in his final moments. It’s a story that resonates deeply, a call to remember the human cost of violence and the strength of those who stand against it. As Oak Park mourns, the investigation continues, with police determined to uncover the full truth behind this heartbreaking loss. For now, a family grieves, a sister remembers, and a community reflects on the fragility of life — and the enduring spirit of a man who fought until the end.