A man in Chicago has admitted to committing three carjackings at gunpoint in federal court, one of which involved shooting a victim. Jamari Edwards, aged 22, pleaded guilty to the crimes which took place in August 2022 in the West Englewood area. The incidents occurred at a coffee shop's drive-thru and outside a convenience store at a gas station. In each instance, Edwards threatened the vehicle owners with a gun, demanding their car keys. During the first carjacking at the coffee shop, he shot the driver in the leg after the keys were surrendered. Before doing so, Edwards reportedly questioned the victim about their lack of fear.
Edwards now faces federal charges for carjacking and firearm offenses, with a sentencing that includes a mandatory minimum of 17 years in prison up to a possible life term. U.S. District Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins will conduct his sentencing on August 12, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Andrew S. Boutros, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced the plea along with Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge at the FBI's Chicago Office, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Steindorf is representing the government in the case.