Family distraught after son delivering for Uber Eats was murdered in Chicago: 'he was a great hugger'

CHICAGO - The family of an Uber Eats driver who was murdered over the weekend is speaking out.

Tramon Thomas was delivering food for Uber Eats with his brother, Terrence, in the 1400 block of North Avers Avenue around 3 a.m. Saturday when someone in a blue SUV fired shots toward them. 

Both men were transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. Tramon, 31, was shot multiple times and later pronounced dead.

Terrence, 32, was shot in the left leg and torso. 

At the crime scene, at least thirty bullet casings were on the ground. 

"Tramon was a great hugger. He was a great hugger. And there wasn't nothing he wouldn't do for anybody," said Shirelle Shaw, Tramon's mother.

Tramon recently received his driver's license and was working as a delivery driver to take care of his 14-month-old daughter.

The family is now asking the community to help police identify suspects by turning over any relevant surveillance footage or by providing information that leads to an arrest. Community activist Andrew Holmes said there’s a $2,000 reward.

"My sons didn’t deserve this, they’re out here trying to work for a living, trying to make ends meet for their family. It’s hard out here. They didn’t deserve this," their father, Terrance Thomas Sr., said at a news conference outside Chicago police headquarters Wednesday afternoon. "My son ain’t harm nobody."

Family said Terrance Jr. has had six surgeries since the shooting and "is not out of the fire."

Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th) initially said after the shooting that the brothers were working for DoorDash. But in an email Wednesday the company said law enforcement officials informed them that the brothers were delivering for Uber Eats.

A spokesperson for Uber said in an emailed statement that the company has been in touch with police and will continue to help with the investigation.

"We are heartbroken by this horrific act of violence," the spokesperson said. "We extend our deepest sympathies to the Thomas family during this tragic time and hope they get justice."

There have been no arrests. 

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.