No charges for Waukegan store clerk who shot robber

A Lake County grand jury said Wednesday no criminal charges should be brought against a Waukegan store clerk who shot and killed an armed robber.

Deputy State's Attorney Jeff Pavletic said the jurors heard testimony about the Oct. 13 shooting and reviewed diagrams and videotapes before reaching its decision.

"All the results of an exhaustive investigation were put before the grand jury," Pavletic said. "It was decided that the shooting was in self-defense and therefore justifiable."

Brandon Starks, 20, of North Chicago, died from a bullet that entered the left side of his back and exited through his chest.

Police said he had entered the People's Market at 901 Market St. around 7 p.m. and walked behind the counter while an accomplice waited outside.

Two video cameras inside the store captured the entire robbery as Starks held a gun on the clerk, demanded money and threatened to kill him, police said.

After grabbing the money, Starks ran out the door and to the left of the store, where he had dropped a bicycle to make his escape.

The clerk took a pistol from under the counter and ran to the door to see which way his assailant was going, according to a statement he gave police.

Starks got on his bicycle and rode past the door of the store, police said, directly in front of the clerk who was still holding his gun.

The clerk told police he saw what he believed to be the gun in Starks' right hand, and opened fire because he believed Starks was going to shoot him.

In addition to the wound in his back, Starks was hit in his left leg by a second of the three shots the clerk fired, police said.

Starks continued on the bicycle a short distance before collapsing, and police said his accomplice rode up and grabbed some of the stolen money before riding off. The accomplice has not been identified or arrested, Pavletic said.

Members of Starks' family could not be reached for comment on the grand jury's decision.