Chicago man held without bond on murder charges in Bensenville shooting

ADDISON – A Chicago man has been charged with murder in the January slaying of a Bensenville store clerk.

Stephan Russell, 20, of 3503 W. Armitage Avenue, Chicago, appeared in court Friday where Judge Daniel Guerin ordered he be held without bond for murder, according to a DuPage County State's Attorney's Office news release.

Russell was arrested March 20 and held on $2.5 million bond until Friday on harassment of a witness and intimidation charges, the release stated. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 22.

Russell and two accomplices – Kenneth Bardlett, 20, of 49th Avenue, Bellwood, and Tremayne Davis, 23, of 1417 N. Lotus Avenue, Chicago – allegedly drove to the Sam's Tobacco and Foodmart store in Bensenville on Jan. 10, according to the release. Bardlett and Russell encountered an employee, Hussein Saghir, outside the store, preparing to close for the evening.

Davis allegedly waited in the vehicle, and a brief altercation broke out between Russell, Bardlett and Saghir, the release stated. Russell allegedly shot and killed Saghir before fleeing the scene with his accomplices, according to the release.

On Thursday, Bardlett pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a firearm as part of a plea agreement. He is now required to cooperate and testify truthfully in the case against his co-defendants, the release stated.

Davis was held on $2.5 million bond and charged with first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery Feb. 23, according to the release. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 16 in front of Judge Guerin.

An ongoing investigation led by the Bensenville Police Department, the Major Crimes Task Force and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office led authorities to the men.