Chicago Father Kevin ‘Tugg’ Watson Fatally Shot on Facebook Live After Struggle Over Chain, Friend Says

Kevin "Tugg" Watson, pictured here wearing a shirt that reads "Too Busy to Hate," was tragically shot while streaming live on Facebook in a parking lot in South Austin.

By Savage RoyalT | August 16, 2025 | SavageRoyalT.com

Chicago’s West Side was shaken on the evening of August 13, 2025, when 42-year-old Kevin Watson, also known by the nickname “Tugg,” was gunned down while streaming live on Facebook. The shooting happened around 6:14 p.m. in a parking lot near West Madison Street and LeClaire in South Austin. Authorities say Watson had just left a nearby liquor store and was sitting inside his car when a vehicle pulled up and multiple offenders approached. According to police reports, the suspects demanded his chain, and moments later shots were fired.

Responding officers found Watson suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed his cause of death as a fatal chest wound.

Alvin Jackson, a close friend and eyewitness, told ABC 7 Chicago that Watson was initially seen speaking to a man before getting into his car. The situation escalated quickly as the suspect pulled a gun. “He was trying to wrestle with the gun, and the gun went off,” Jackson recounted. Watson’s “Tugg” chain was found on the ground near the crime scene and is now a crucial piece of the investigation.

Police confirmed the shooting was partially captured on Watson’s Facebook Live broadcast, which has since circulated online. The footage, combined with witness statements and recovered evidence, is being used by Area 4 detectives as they pursue leads. Despite this, no arrests have been made, and no suspect descriptions have been officially released.

Watson leaves behind a 7-year-old son, adding another layer of grief to an already devastating loss for his family and community. Friends and family described him as someone full of energy and life, with his sudden death underscoring the ongoing gun violence crisis plaguing Chicago.

The Chicago Police Department is urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously at CPDTIP.com or directly to the 15th District station at (312) 743-1440. Authorities stress that even the smallest detail could help bring justice in this case.