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Shooter Says Paralyzed Victim 'Mean Mugged' Him At Gas Station: Prosecutors

 Prosecutors said Zackeyius Thigpen, 18, was free on electronic monitoring when he opened fire March 16.
Prosecutors said Zackeyius Thigpen, 18, was free on electronic monitoring when he opened fire March 16.
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DNAinfo; Cook County Sheriff's Office

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — The shooter who paralyzed a 22-year-old man earlier this month believed the victim was "mean mugging," or giving him dirty looks, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Zackeyius Thigpen, 18, is being held without bail on allegations he opened fire at a West Englewood gas station about 1 p.m. March 16 — striking a 22-year-old man in his lower back and arm.

The victim was still hospitalized Wednesday afternoon and is now paralyzed from his waist down, Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said during a bond hearing.

According to Scaduto, Thigpen told authorities he smoked marijuana and took Xanax before the shooting, "went crazy" when he believed he saw the victim "mean mugging" and that "he was feeling good and not thinking about his friends" when he opened fire March 16.

At the time of the shooting, Thigpen was free on electronic monitoring for a pending stolen-car case, court records show.

Cook County Judge James Brown on Dec. 11 said Thigpen could be released on his own recognizance pending trial if the sheriff's office provided electronic monitoring. Thigpen went home the next day.

He now faces additional felony charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm in the March 16 shooting.

That's on top of a pending juvenile case for criminal damage.

According to prosecutors, Thigpen and his girlfriend were leaving a gas station in the 7000 block of South Damen Avenue about 1 p.m. March 16 when the 22-year-old victim and two other people pulled up in an SUV.

The victim began walking toward an attached convenience store, Scaduto said. That's when Thigpen claims he saw the victim "mean mugging" him, according to authorities.

Thigpen is accused of pulling out a revolver and firing multiple shots toward the victim, who was struck twice. Thigpen then slipped on ice and ran away, prosecutors said.

A driver who witnessed the attack tried to follow Thigpen, Scaduto said, but was thwarted when Thigpen's girlfriend ran in front of the driver's vehicle. Thigpen got away and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

In court Wednesday, defense attorney David Peilet said, "We're going to present a self-defense case" at trial because Thigpen's "life was in imminent peril" when he began shooting March 16.

Judge Peggy Chiampas turned toward Scaduto and asked if there was any evidence that the 22-year-old victim was armed that afternoon. There was not, Scaduto said.

Peilet argued that the victim chased Thigpen before the shooting.

Thigpen, of the 7100 block of South Wolcott Avenue, could face life in prison if convicted.

"He is a danger to the community," Chiampas said. "No bail."