CHICAGO (WLS) – A teenager has been charged with the murder of a U.S. postal worker last July, Chicago police said Tuesday.

Prosecutors told the judge that 48-year-old Octavia Redmond was followed along her path and shot multiple times in the 12100 block of South Harvard Avenue in the West Pullman neighborhood. According to police, the gunman stopped, fired shots and drove away.

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Chicago police and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested the 15-year-old suspect on Monday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. ABC7 is not identifying him because he is a minor.

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He is extradited to Chicago, where he is charged with one count of first-degree murder.

“The safety of the Postal Service's employees and customers is at the heart of the mission of the Postal Inspection Service,” said Ruth M. Mendona, Inspector in Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “There is no place for this kind of senseless violence. When members of our postal family are targeted, postal inspectors will not rest until justice is served on behalf of the victims, their families and our postal community. This arrest is the first step.” We hope this brings some relief to the Redmond family. As our investigation continues, we maintain our call for the public to come forward with any information that could further bring those responsible to justice.

Redmond's husband, who also works as a mail carrier, declined to comment as he left court.

At the same time that the teenager appeared in court, postal workers and their advocates were demanding change with new urgency.

“We are grateful that someone was arrested and allowed authorities to do their due diligence and hope that justice is served,” said Keith Richardson, president of the American Postal Workers Union Chicago Local 0001.

They gathered at the Roseland train station, where Redmond worked.

“We need protection. That's the bottom line,” said Elise Foster, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 11. “We know what's going on with these letter carriers and we need help. We are under attack.”

“The delivery people who come to work every day feel the pain of losing their sister, and sometimes they don't want to go out and deliver the mail. They say there are staffing issues, mental health issues and they're afraid of it.” “Being the next victim,” Foster added.

Union officials told ABC7 that in addition to being concerned about safety on the streets, they also want safer indoor working conditions and more staff, especially as higher mail volumes are expected for the election and holidays.

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