Third Man Charged in Murder of Bensenville Convenience Store Clerk

A 20-year-old Chicago man became the third man charged last week in the murder of Bensenville tobacco store clerk, Hussein Saghir. 

Stephan Russell, of 3503 W. Armitage in Chicago, appeared in a DuPage County court Friday morning where Judge Daniel Guerin ordered he be held without bond for the murder. He is accused of shooting and killing Saghir following an altercation in January outside a Bensenville convenience store, according to a DuPage County State's Attorney's Office press release. 

Russell was taken into custody on March 20 and charged with Harassment of a Witness and Intimidation in relation to the case.  Since that time, he has been held in the DuPage County Jail on a $2.5 million bond. 

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 22. 

Police say Russell and two accomplices, Kenneth Bardlett, 20, of Bellwood, and Tremayne Davis, 23, of Chicago, drove to the Sam’s Tobacco and Foodmart store in Bensenville on Jan. 10, according to the news release. 

While there, Bardlett and Russell are accused of encountering Saghir outside the store as Saghir was preparing to close up the store for the evening while Davis waited in the vehicle. 

A brief altercation followed between the two men and Saghir before Russell is accused of shooting and killing Saghir. The three men then fled the scene, according to the news release. 

Bardlett and Davis have already been charged with the crime. Bardlett entered a plea of guilty to Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, a Class X Felony, for his role in the murder last week. 

As part of his plea agreement, he will be required to testify in the cases against his co-defendants.

 On Feb. 23, bond was set at $2.5 million with 10% to apply for Davis. Davis is facing First Degree Murder and Attempted Armed Robbery charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 16. 

“The murder of Hussein Saghir was a senseless act of violence allegedly committed by a man who showed a complete disregard for human life,” said DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin in a new release. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Saghir’s family and friends as they grieve the loss of a loved one."

An investigation led by the BensenvillePolice Department, the Major Crimes Task Force and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office led authorities to the men. The investigation into the murder continues.