Chicago restaurant worker accused of fatally shooting two people appears in court

CHICAGO (CBS) – The fast food employee accused of killing two customers at a South Side restaurant where he worked earlier this month, appeared in court Tuesday.

The victims' families burst into tears and said the men were targeted because they appeared homeless.

Friends and family members of the victims said they hoped for justice as they returned to the crime scene at JJ Fish and Chicken in the Wrightwood neighborhood on the Southwest Side. They went there hours after confronting Mehdi Medellel, 42, the man accused of what was described as an “execution-style” double murder.

“It was really hard,” said Clifton Williams, brother of victim Paul Williams. “I shed a few tears while I was inside. I was a little disturbed by the anticipation and all the attention that this particular case brought.”

Clifton Williams said Paul, his older brother, was a hustler who sold goods on the street and he believes his brother was doing so at the restaurant earlier this month when he was shot.

The suspect then allegedly pointed the gun at the second customer, David Swick, who was sitting nearby.

“David was such a good guy that he would go out to buy meals for other people in his community no matter where he stayed,” said Robert Groszek, an attorney for Swick's family.

After the suspect appeared in court, the victims' families, including Swick's three daughters, banded together. Some said they believed their loved ones had fallen victim to homelessness.

Swick's family said they are in contact with him and hope to help him get back on his feet.

Clifton added that his brother was already in shelter. He had accepted an offer to live in a family property a month before his murder.

“Very gentle, got along with most people,” Williams said of his brother. “He loves to laugh. He loved to laugh, so he was a good guy.”

Paul Williams' funeral is scheduled for November 4th. Medellel, the suspect, is due back in court on November 13th. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.