Days after a Tinley Park man was shot and killed while leaving a Glenwood bar, an investigation concluded the shooting was an act of self-defense and Cook County prosecutors declined to file charges, Glenwood police said.
The shooting Sunday, Feb. 23, at Chug-A-Lug Pub & Grill, 18409 S. Halsted St., which left 31-year-old James Honey of the 6800 block of Hickory Street dead, was determined to be an act of self-defense, according to a news release from Glenwood police.
The investigation, conducted with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, revealed a “chance” encounter over a parking dispute escalated into an armed confrontation, police said.
None of the parties involved knew each other and there was no contact or conflict prior to the shooting, police said.
A gun owned by Honey was found at the scene, police said. The weapon fired at him was legally owned by a concealed carry license holder, and was turned over to Glenwood police, they said.
An investigation into the shooting included “many hours of video surveillance from the incident scene and beyond, witness interviews, search warrants, forensic crime scene processing, evidence obtained from the medical examiner, and other investigative efforts,” according to the news release.
Findings were presented to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office, which declined to press charges, police said.
The investigation is closed, Glenwood police said.
Glenwood police were called at about 1:30 a.m. after a confrontation between Honey and another group in Chug-A-Lug’s parking lot as Honey and his companions left the bar.
Honey was pronounced dead at 1:38 a.m. Feb. 23 at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The medical examiner found he died of multiple gunshot wounds.
After the shooting, Chug-A-Lug released a statement that it had security measures in place, including security personnel and a “strategic closing procedure” to ensure the safe dispersal of customers.
A spokeswoman for the pub told the Southtown security is present during late hours when only patrons 25 and older are allowed inside. On nights with larger crowds, the bar’s closing procedure involves clearing each level separately to ensure a safe and orderly dispersal, she said.
The bar, which opened in 2022, said the shooting was the first of this nature to occur there.
smoilanen@chicagotribune.com
