WeatherTech shooting victim was engaged, trying to change his life, family says

Members of the family say CJ Hightower had simply began working at WeatherTech again in January with hopes to start out a brand new life earlier than police say he was gunned down by a brief employee on the facility.

SEE ALSO | Chicago man charged in Bolingbrook taking pictures at WeatherTech warehouse, police say

ABC 7 spoke solely together with his mom and fiancée, who went from planning a marriage to now planning a funeral.

“Nonetheless simply arduous to come back to phrases with him being gone,” stated Kierra Scott, his fiancée. “I simply wish to inform him I miss him. And, I’ve all the time missed him. And, I’ve all the time cherished him.”

Tragedy struck because the couple was solely months away from their large day.

“We had large plans for the longer term,” Scott stated. “We had been considering New Yr’s.”

It was on the finish of Hightower’s in a single day shift at WeatherTech in Bolingbrook that their lives collectively can be torn aside eternally.

“I dropped him off at work Friday evening,” Scott stated. “I did not assume I wasn’t going to have the ability to see him once more.”

That is when police had been known as to the ability Saturday morning to seek out three males shot.

The 37-year-old was killed months after beginning on the warehouse in January. He had moved in together with his mom, Brenda Allen, to start a brand new path in life.

“I used to be simply so blissful that he was blissful about simply working an odd job for 10 hours a day!” Allen stated. “I simply stood up in church and instructed my church that I have been praying for my son for 15 years to vary his life and he lastly known as me saying he needed to vary his life!”

However, police say, that journey was halted by Charles McKnight, Jr. after he allegedly stole a watch and pockets from two workers, together with Hightower, who confronted him.

“The man flashed a gun at CJ,” Allen stated. “CJ walked away, and he went and instructed safety that the man who stole the wallets and watch had a gun. And, from there, we’re instructed, he simply opened hearth!”

Hightower was certainly one of three males shot, however the one one who died. His mom’s ache was overcome by the thought that what ended her son’s life might’ve been a lot worst.

“And, I do know if he would not have tried to knock that gun out of that man’s head, I do not know what number of extra moms can be standing in my place,” Allen stated.

After a three-hour search, McKnight was arrested and charged within the taking pictures. He had been working with a brief employment company and had solely been assigned to the WeatherTech facility since June 9.

“Guess what? Now you are going to undergo the results of the trail you selected to take,” Allen stated.

However Hightower’s household’s hope for the longer term remains to be misplaced with out CJ.

“I by no means thought my household can be on this place, however we would like justice!” his cousin Karyn McGary stated.

A gun was recovered by officers. Police stated they don’t imagine the taking pictures was premeditated.