A Chicago man’s raw grief spilled onto social media as he vowed revenge for his brother’s brutal killing, captured live on Facebook. Kevin Watson, a 42-year-old beloved figure in Chicago’s South Austin neighborhood, was fatally shot in the chest on August 13, 2024, during an attempted robbery while streaming on a social platform. His heartbroken brother, in a gut-wrenching Facebook Live video, accused bystanders of complicity and promised retribution, calling the attack a deliberate setup.
The Kevin Watson shooting in Chicago unfolded around 6:14 p.m. in a parking lot on the 5000 block of West Madison Street, near Madison and LeClaire Avenue. Watson, known as “Tugg,” was live-streaming when a vehicle approached. An assailant, reportedly targeting Watson’s chain inscribed with his nickname, fired shots after a brief confrontation.
Watson, who raised his hands and said, “What’s up, bro?” before exiting his car, was struck and later pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital. The live stream, now viewed over 2.5 million times, captured the chaos, with bystanders shouting for police as gunshots rang out.
Watson’s brother, overcome with anguish, took to Facebook to express his pain. He described seeing Watson’s body, noting his brother looked “at peace” despite the fatal chest wound.
Reviewing the live-stream footage, he pointed to a vehicle with tinted windows lingering for 10 to 15 minutes before the attack, a detail he found suspicious for a busy parking lot near a car wash.
“Since when do a motherfucker pull up and sit for 10 minutes and don’t nobody wash their car?”
He questioned, alleging bystanders knew of the impending attack but did nothing. He accused those present of failing to intervene, claiming,
“Y’all waited, I watched the video. I don’t need no more proof.”
The brother’s rage extended to those he believes had prior conflicts with Watson.
“Every motherfucker that had issues with my brother can die,”
He warned that no one should conduct business in the area without consequences. His video, raw and unfiltered, underscored the deep personal loss and hinted at potential for further conflict in a community already grappling with violence.
Watson’s sister, Shamika, echoed the family’s devastation, describing her brother as a vibrant father, uncle, and friend who lit up any room. She suggested the attack was personal, noting Watson’s claim that “they backdoored me,” implying betrayal by someone he knew. The chain, left at the scene with blood and fingerprints, is now key evidence in the ongoing Chicago Police Department investigation, with no arrests reported yet. Authorities are urging witnesses to share information through their anonymous tip line.
Known for his bold personality and love for fashion, Watson was a community staple, often engaging followers through live streams and a former podcast. His death, the second fatal shooting on that block that week, highlights Chicago’s persistent struggle with gun violence that has claimed other local figures. Friends and family remember him as a loving father to his young son and a generous figure who helped others, like his cousin Jacquez Smith, find work. Shamika vowed to seek justice, saying, “I just want the killer to be caught. Turn yourself in because we’re not going to quit.”
The viral video and the brother’s emotional outcry have sparked widespread discussion, with some on social media calling for broader action to address Chicago’s violence.
