Police: Grandson Killed, Robbed 72-Year-Old Man Who Was Headed to Dialysis

William Strickland waited for his grandfather to step out of his South Side home to take his paratransit ride to a kidney dialysis appointment early March 2, authorities said Saturday — then stood behind the 72-year-old man, shot him six times in the back and stole his wallet, leaving him to die just steps from his home.

Prosecutors said Saturday that Strickland, 19, used the money he took from his grandfather, who also was named William Strickland, to pay for new gym shoes, a cellphone and tattoos.

William Strickland

The teen had no criminal history but was an admitted gang member, they said.

He’d been living with his grandfather, according to neighbors.

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The younger Strickland was charged late Friday with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a handgun in the March 2 shooting in the 400 block of East 95th Street. {snip}

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Prosecutors said the semi-automatic gun used in the killing was owned by Strickland’s grandfather and that he’d stolen it from the older man.

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Neighbors said Strickland, who sometimes walked with a cane, went to dialysis three times a week.

Family and neighbors said Strickland had recently retired after working nearly 30 years at a steel mill.

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