Park Forest Man Charged with Murder After Gas Station Shooting

A Park Forest man was charged with murder after the Tuesday morning shooting death of Robert Fortson of Chicago Heights at a local gas station, according to police.

Dennis Joyner, 60, was in a dispute with Fortson over a rental property that Joyner owned, police learned during their investigation. The dispute ended with Joyner shooting Fortson several times at the Mobil gas station in the 400 block of Lincoln Highway, according to Head of Detectives Joseph Bruni.

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The State's Attorney's office has charged Joyner with first degree murder. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office ruled the death a homicide from multiple gunshot wounds.

Police were initially called just before 11 a.m. on Sept. 11 about a shooting at the gas station. When they arrived police found Fortson, 40, in the parking lot with several gunshot wounds, according to police.  personnel took Fortson to St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights where he was pronounced dead on arrival, according to police.

Mobil store owner Mike Husain told Chicago Tribune reporters the shooter, who had not been identified as Joyner, was buying a newspaper and paying for gas when Fortson walked in.

The two got into an argument and the gunman chased Fortson into the parking lot before shooting him several times. The gunman then waited for police to arrive, Husain said.

Joyner is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing at Markham Courthouse Sept. 13 at 9 a.m.

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