CHICAGO — The man killed by Amtrak police in a shootout at Chicago Union Station on Tuesday had allegedly shot and killed a man in Oakland just four days before.
Jamar Jason Taylor, 33, of San Leandro, Calif., died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital after being shot in an exchange of gunfire with police on a station platform after the California Zephyr arrived shortly after 5 p.m. on Tuesday [see “Murder suspect shot, killed …,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 25, 2021].
WMAQ-TV reports police had obtained high-definition video surveillance showing Taylor carrying out the fatal shooting of a 55-year-old man in Oakland on Saturday. An arrest warrant had been issued Tuesday morning for charges including murder and illegally possessing a gun as a felon, among other allegations. Taylor had previously been convicted for making criminal threats, attempted grand theft, and commercial burlgarly, among other crimes.
Police in California notified Amtrak police that Taylor was heading to Chicago by train, and Amtrak officers were waiting when the train — which had left Emeryville, Calif., on Sunday, the day after the shooting — arrived at Union Station on Tuesday evening.
Chicago Police Department spokesman Tom Ahern told the TV station that when officers confronted Taylor, he ran, knocking over Amtrak employees before firing a shot at officers. One of the Amtrak police returned fire, striking Taylor in the chest. Three other people were injured, although none were shot.
Ahern said Chicago and Amtrak police are working jointly on the case. Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari told the station the Chicago police will complete their report and provide it to Amtrak’s Office of Professional Responsibility, which reviews officer-involved shootings.
Some years ago, people moving drugs on a Florida train paid ca$h and gave “1060 W Addison St, Chicago” as their address. When they detrained in NY they were arrested and the drugs found. Their mistake? 1060 W Addison is Wrigley Field.
I wonder if the Amtrak Conductors on the “Zephyr” along the route to Chicago were alerted that they had a murder suspect aboard? A delicate situation to be sure, with innocent passengers and crew “captive” aboard the train! How about RR police at intermediate points, in case the suspect decided to detrain short of CHI?
Dumb criminal! If he wanted to go to Chicago, he should have gotten of the train at the last stop BEFORE Chicago! Fortunately, his stupidity aided his arrest.
I suppose if Amtrak Police, or Police from from an intermediate city stop, had attempted to arrest him enroute, it could have turned into a dangerous situation.
A few years I was on the Coast Starlight and we made an about thirty minute stop at King City. I remember seeing police cars drive away. Turns out a passenger had had too much to drink and the conductor had made arrangements to have escorted off the train.
It sounds like he boarded the train before he was identified as the suspect.
Probably not apprehended sooner as thought to be safer for others if he got off train 1st. Also not enough Amtrak backup elsewhere I would guess.
Not having had the need since I was underage in a bar (a long time ago, way, way beyond the statute of limitations), I wonder how easy it is to present a false id for Amtrak’s passenger list. No problem?
Why would they wait 2 days to apprehend a felon? Seems dangerous , he could have bailed out anywhere on the line.