Man charged with killing wife in Markham then taking kids, prompting Amber Alert

MARKHAM (Sun-Times Media Wire) - A man has been charged with fatally shooting his wife Wednesday morning in south suburban Markham then abducting the pair's two children.

Lynn Washington, 46, was taken into custody Friday morning at an undisclosed location, Markham Police Chief Mack Sanders said. He faces one felony count each of first-degree murder and parental abduction.

Washington is accused of fatally shooting his wife, 27-year-old Lakisha Roby, who was shot about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at a BP gas station at 167th Street and Pulaski Road, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Roby was shot in the back and pronounced dead a short time later at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, authorities said. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Witnesses told investigators that Washington picked up the couple's two children -- ages 3 and 2 -- from a family friend after the shooting, Sanders said.

Illinois State Police issued an Amber Alert for the kids Wednesday night after they were reported missing by Markham police.

The alert was canceled Thursday when both children were found safe at a relative's home in Harvey, Sanders said. Police had previously searched the home looking for the kids, but they were not there.

Washington was prohibited from having contact with his children due to an order of protection issued Nov. 30 last year, Sanders said.