Chicago police charge teen in fatal CTA Red Line train push

A 15-year-old girl has been charged with first-degree murder and several other felonies following the death of 29-year-old Kyle Bickham on a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line train.

According to Chicago police, the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on a Monday near the 69th Street station. An altercation involving three individuals allegedly resulted in Bickham being pushed from the moving train. He was subsequently struck by a train and died at the scene. While initial reports suggested a potential jump, the Cook County medical examiner’s office and police have since ruled the death a homicide.

The victim's family is calling for increased security and a better redistribution of safety resources on the city's transit system. Although CTA crime has reportedly dropped by 30% in the first half of the year, the incident follows a period of record-high violent attacks on the transit system in 2025. The arrested teenager is scheduled to appear in court following her arrest on Friday.