No Bail for Man Charged in Cell Phone Slaying of Palos Park Man

Caption: Kristopher K. Pitts, 22, of Chicago, is being held without bail on first-degree murder and armed robbery charges of a 25-year-old Palos Park man. | Cook County Sheriff

Cook County prosecutors said a fight over stolen cash and a cell phone may have led to the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old Palos Park man in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood early Saturday morning.

Kristopher K. Pitts, 22, of Humboldt Park, charged with murder and armed robbery, was ordered held with without bail on Sunday, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Witnesses reported seeing the victim, Kevin O’Malley, chasing Pitts near the 900 block of West Oakdale around 2 a.m. Saturday, prosecutors said.

» RELATED: Arrest Made in Palos Park Man’s Shooting Death

Prosecutors said Pitts had robbed O’Malley moments earlier, taking his cell phone and cash. After O’Malley caught up with Pitts, witnesses said the men fought. Pitts allegedly pulled out a silver revolver and shot O’Malley in the chest.

O’Malley was pronounced dead on the scene, a block or two away from a popular stretch of bars in the 1100 block of North Sheffield Avenue. Pitts fled the scene and was arrested by police at the Wellington CTA Brown Line stop. The Humboldt Park man reportedly had O’Malley’s cell phone in his pocket. Pitts’ shoe was also found near the crime scene, the Tribune reported.

Sunday in court, prosecutors said three witnesses identified Pitts in a lineup. Police also had surveillance video of Pitts ascending a roof to gain access to the Wellington Station platform.

Pitts’ stunned wife, Cassandra Gunter-Pitts, told CBS Chicago she didn’t like what she heard.

“This doesn’t sound like him,” Cassandra Gunter-Pitts said. “I never even thought this would even happen.”

Pitts, a married father of three, was already out on bond for a pending felony case of assault against a police officer, for allegedly threatening police with a machete and dog, CBS Chicago reported.

O’Malley grew up in Palos Park and was living on the North Side, a co-worker told Sun-Times’ Homicide Watch. He had spent his last week searching for the perfect birthday gift for his girlfriend.

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