A brutal pre-dawn attack at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Oswego, Illinois, has left one man dead and another seriously injured, shocking the quiet suburban community. 19-year-old Darryl Lee Jr., from Kankakee, now faces 11 felony counts, including first-degree murder and attempted murder, following the incident that unfolded early Wednesday morning.
According to investigators, Darryl Lee Jr is accused of breaking into the restaurant, fatally stabbing a delivery driver, and later attacking a maintenance worker before being subdued and arrested at the scene. The violent episode, described by police as unprovoked and deeply tragic, has drawn widespread attention across Illinois and beyond for both its savagery and the chilling calm with which the accused appeared to linger at the scene after the killing.
Early Morning Horror at Oswego Chick-fil-A
The incident began around 3:10 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, when surveillance footage captured Darryl Lee Jr. allegedly entering the Chick-fil-A restaurant on the 2700 block of Route 34 through a back door. At that time, the restaurant was closed to the public and only a contracted delivery driver, identified later as 52-year-old Tracey J. Land of Bridgeview, was inside making an early morning delivery. Authorities say Lee attacked Land with both a hammer and a knife, inflicting multiple traumatic injuries that proved fatal. The Kendall County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Land suffered extensive wounds, though the exact cause and manner of death remain under further investigation.
Investigators believe Lee broke into the restaurant with the intent to rob or harm, though the precise motive remains unclear. According to police, after killing Land, Lee appeared to remain inside the building for nearly two hours, attempting to clean the crime scene. The chilling detail suggests a disturbing level of composure and deliberation after the fatal assault. When officers later reviewed security footage, it appeared Lee had stayed near the victim’s body for some time, perhaps trying to conceal evidence or erase traces of the attack.
Police were not alerted until nearly two hours later when a second violent incident occurred outside the same restaurant. At approximately 4:56 a.m., Lee reportedly emerged from the building and ambushed a 20-year-old maintenance worker, stabbing him from behind without warning. The victim, identified as Sergio Uribe Jr., was performing his duties as a contracted cleaner, power washing the restaurant’s exterior with his mother, who was also working at the time. Uribe’s mother told investigators that the attack came suddenly and without provocation, leaving her son seriously injured.
Despite his wounds, Uribe fought back, ultimately subduing Lee with assistance from his mother until police arrived. Their quick action prevented what authorities believe could have been another fatal outcome. Oswego Police Chief Jeff Bastin later praised their bravery, saying, “We are grateful for the actions of these two individuals, whose efforts to restrain the offender and call police directly led to the offender’s capture.”
Officers arrived within four minutes of being dispatched and immediately took Lee into custody. They provided emergency medical care to Uribe until Oswego Fire Protection District personnel arrived and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in stable condition by Thursday evening.
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Inside the restaurant, police conducted a protective sweep and discovered the body of Tracey Land, unresponsive. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, Land was pronounced dead at the scene. As daylight broke, a heavy police presence surrounded the restaurant, with yellow tape, patrol cars, and a mobile command unit marking the site of the crime. Aerial footage from NBC Chicago’s Sky 5 helicopter showed the scene cordoned off as investigators gathered evidence and documented the grisly details of the morning’s events.
A Community Stunned by Unprovoked Violence
For residents of Oswego and the surrounding Kendall County area, the attack has brought a sense of disbelief and sorrow. Chick-fil-A locations, known for their early morning operations and family-oriented reputation, rarely see violent crime, making the incident all the more jarring. Police Chief Bastin called the assault “unprovoked” and emphasized its tragic impact. “This was an unprovoked attack and resulted in a tragic loss of life,” he said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this tragic incident. We are grateful for the bravery of those who intervened and for the coordinated response from our officers, fire personnel, and assisting agencies.”
Authorities have revealed that the suspect, Darryl Lee Jr., had minimal prior contact with law enforcement. In September, Oswego police responded to a call from Lee reporting that he saw individuals in a vehicle with handguns, but officers were unable to verify his claims and found no evidence of criminal activity. Police said that aside from that interaction, they had no prior record of encounters or disturbances involving Lee.
This lack of a clear motive or criminal background has intensified the community’s unease. Investigators have not yet released information about what led Lee to the Chick-fil-A that morning or his relationship, if any, with the victims. Both Land and Uribe were employed by outside contractors and were not Chick-fil-A employees, suggesting that Lee’s actions may have been random or driven by an unknown personal motive.
Residents have expressed condolences online, with local community groups and religious leaders holding small gatherings to pray for the victims and their families. Tracey Land, described by friends as a hardworking and kind man, had been making deliveries for years and was well-liked among fellow drivers. “He always had a smile on his face,” one acquaintance told local media. “He worked hard, did his job, and didn’t bother anyone. It’s so unfair that his life ended this way.”
Meanwhile, the Uribe family has received support from neighbors and strangers alike. Sergio Uribe’s courage in restraining his attacker while gravely injured has drawn widespread admiration. Friends have called him a “hero” for his quick thinking, which likely saved his mother’s life and prevented Lee from escaping or hurting others.
As the investigation continues, police are combing through surveillance footage, digital evidence, and forensic materials collected from the restaurant. The Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed that the evidence indicates a deliberate and violent sequence of actions by Lee, from breaking into the closed establishment to remaining on the premises and launching a second attack hours later.
Legal Proceedings and the Road Ahead
On Thursday, prosecutors formally charged Darryl Lee Jr. with 11 felony counts related to the attack. These include First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, Concealment of Homicidal Death, Armed Robbery, Armed Violence, Aggravated Battery, and Burglary. Lee remains in custody at the Kendall County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court Friday for a preliminary hearing. Officials have not yet disclosed whether Lee has obtained legal representation or if psychiatric evaluations will be requested as part of the defense process.
First-degree murder, a Class M felony in Illinois, carries a possible sentence of life imprisonment. Attempted first-degree murder and armed violence, both Class X felonies, could each add decades to any potential sentence. Given the violent nature of the crimes and the use of multiple weapons, prosecutors are expected to pursue the case aggressively. Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis emphasized the seriousness of the charges, noting that the case involves both the death of an innocent man and a second victim who survived with severe injuries.
Authorities also confirmed that Lee’s alleged actions after the murder—attempting to clean the scene and conceal the crime—led to additional charges of concealment of homicidal death. This behavior suggests, according to prosecutors, that the attack was not impulsive but calculated and followed by deliberate attempts to hide evidence. Investigators are working to determine whether Lee acted alone or if there is any broader context to his actions, though early findings suggest he was the sole perpetrator.
The community of Oswego continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy. The Chick-fil-A location where the incident occurred has been closed indefinitely, with company representatives expressing condolences and pledging support for the victims’ families. “We are deeply saddened by the events that took place at our Oswego restaurant,” a Chick-fil-A spokesperson said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those impacted. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement as they continue their investigation.”
In the coming weeks, as court proceedings unfold, questions are likely to focus on Darryl Lee Jr’s mental state, background, and potential motives. Prosecutors have not ruled out seeking a psychological evaluation to assess his competency to stand trial. Some legal experts suggest that the apparent randomness and brutality of the attacks could lead to arguments of diminished capacity or mental illness, though no such claims have been made publicly so far.
For the families of the victims, the legal process will offer both a chance for justice and a painful reminder of their loss. The death of Tracey Land, a 52-year-old delivery driver simply doing his job, underscores the vulnerability of workers who keep early-morning industries running. His death has resonated deeply among delivery drivers across Illinois, many of whom have called for better safety measures and awareness for those working alone during late or early hours.
Sergio Uribe Jr.’s recovery, meanwhile, is being closely followed by the community. Supporters have expressed hope for his healing and gratitude for his courage under unimaginable circumstances. “He showed strength and selflessness,” one local resident commented online. “Even while bleeding and in pain, he made sure the man who killed someone else couldn’t get away.”
The investigation remains ongoing, with the Kendall County Coroner’s Office, Oswego Police Department, and the State’s Attorney’s Office collaborating on final reports. Autopsy results, forensic analysis, and psychological assessments will likely play key roles in shaping the final case against Darryl Lee Jr.
In Oswego—a community unaccustomed to violent crime—the memory of this tragedy will linger. The Chick-fil-A attack has shattered the routine calm of a suburban morning, leaving behind grief, fear, and an enduring question: what drove a young man to commit such a horrific act? As the legal system seeks answers, the families of Tracey Land and Sergio Uribe Jr. face the long process of mourning, healing, and waiting for justice to take its course.