News

Examining events that led up to Toto Kaiyewu's death

July 5, 2009

As the only black man who'd been in all day, Oluwatofunmi "Toto" Kaiyewu immediately drew the attention of clerk Rosalind Howard when he walked into the Mobil Super Pantry in Villa Grove about 10:15 p.m. April 26. The well-dressed and clean-cut Kaiyewu, a 23-year-old medical student, paid Howard no heed as he entered the store, walked to the coffee vending area to pick up some coffee creamers and, after a few minutes, walked out.

Howard spoke to Kaiyewu as he was leaving, but he didn't respond. She told police the situation felt "weird" and kept her eyes on him as he stood by his car for a few seconds and then sat in it for a few minutes before driving off. Full story »