Chicago, Illinois – A 20-year-old man faces felony charges after deputies allegedly recovered a loaded firearm during a CTA platform check Monday evening.
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Community Safety Team members were conducting premise checks around 5:40 p.m. Monday at the 87th Street CTA Red Line platform when the incident occurred.
Authorities said Tristen Carrizales, 20, of Riverdale, approached deputies while appearing to roll what officers believed to be a cannabis cigar in plain view of law enforcement.
Deputies stopped Carrizales to conduct a narcotics investigation, officials said. During a safety pat-down, officers allegedly recovered a loaded firearm equipped with a laser sight and ammunition from Carrizales’ person.
According to the sheriff’s office, Carrizales did not possess a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card or a concealed carry license, which Illinois law requires for legal firearm possession.
Carrizales was taken into custody at the scene without incident.
Later that evening, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved a felony charge of unlawful possession of a weapon, according to authorities.
Officials said Carrizales was ordered held in Cook County Jail custody on Tuesday, March 11, following an initial court appearance at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
Law enforcement agencies regularly conduct patrols and premise checks across CTA stations as part of public safety initiatives targeting weapons and narcotics violations.
The case remains pending, and Carrizales is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
For many Chicago residents—including students and young commuters—CTA platforms remain one of the city’s most heavily used transit points during evening travel hours.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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