18-Year-Old Charged in Murder of Civilian Police Employee

An 18-year-old has been charged in the shooting death of a civilian employee of the Chicago Police Department.

William Cochran, 18, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery and discharge of a firearm.

John “Buck” Buckner, 59, was unloading groceries from his vehicle the evening of Sept. 16 in the 11500 block of South Church Street when Cochran shot him in the stomach, police said.

Buckner was rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and later died during surgery.

A 41-year-old man sitting on a nearby porch was also struck by gunfire.

Witnesses told police that three people rode up on bicycles and started shooting.

Police said that Cochran was “identified” as the person responsible for shooting Buckner but would not elaborate.

Cochran is due in bond court at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building on Friday.