‘Peacekeeper’ pictured at Pritzker event accused in deadly Mag Mile smash-and-grab

CHICAGO (WGN) — A man accused of his involvement in the deadly smash-and-grab last week on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile posed for a picture with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker just days earlier.

Kellen McMiller, a 35-year-old Chicago man, is one of seven people charged in connection with the Thursday, Sept. 11 incident at the Louis Vuitton store near the 100 block of E. Walton Street. McMillan faces felony counts of murder, burglary, theft, and three counts of fugitive from justice with an out-of-state warrant.

Less than a week before the incident, Pritzker praised McMiller for his work as a peacekeeper. Both were pictured together in an image taken on Friday, Sept. 5, as Pritzker met with the peacekeepers in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.

The governor’s team referred to the group as “trusted messengers” in the community, in a press release issued that same day. Cook County prosecutors would later charge McMiller for his alleged role in the crash-and-grab burglary.

Prosecutors claim the group backed a pick-up truck into the store, shattering a glass window. Several men then entered the store, taking merchandise and returning to their getaway cars. 

One of those vehicles was a Kia Stinger that crashed into a Honda CR-V near the intersection of E. Ohio Street and Michigan Avenue, claiming the life of 40-year-old Mark Arceta, an innocent bystander who was on his way to work. 

Peter Cunningham, senior adviser with Chicago CRED, said the situation for all involved is heartbreaking.

“He obviously made a bad choice…we don’t know exactly what happened yet,” he said. “The case will play out in court as it’s supposed to, but it’s unfortunate. But it shouldn’t really tarnish the impact that this program is having citywide.”

Chicago CRED, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing gun violence in the city, leads the Peacekeepers program. 

“This is a program that intentionally recruits people at high risk to try and stop shootings. So we know that these guys are justice-involved. We know that many of them are traumatized. And so we accept the fact that some of them are likely to make poor choices,” Cunningham said. “But for the most part, these people are saving lives every day.” 

The governor’s office responded to the picture with McMiller, which has now been removed from their website, by saying: 

“We were extremely troubled to learn that this individual was arrested for his alleged involvement in this serious crime, and we expect them to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The governor will keep doing everything in his power to fight crime, keep our neighborhoods safe, and support community violence intervention…” 

The Office of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

The office went on to boast violence prevention programs and their track record of reducing violent crime by 41 percent, citing research experts at Northwestern University. 

Cunningham said the organization’s work will continue.

“We’re going to keep fighting,” he said. “As long as the state is supporting it, we’re going to keep doing it because these guys are part of the solution.” 

McMiller was due to appear in court on Thursday, but remains hospitalized. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 22.