Margaret Miller Johnson, 64, was one of four people fatally shot on a Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train in the early morning of September 2, 2024, as the train neared the Forest Park terminal. She and three other victims — Simeon Bihesi, 28; Adrian Collins, 60; and Sean Jones, 52 — were found shot before 5:30 a.m.

Johnson had a long connection with Connections for the Homeless in Evanston. She and her late husband Nick first sought help there in 2018 while living in a truck, later moving into the organization’s hotel-based shelter at the Margarita European Inn during the early COVID-19 months and then into an apartment in Des Plaines through a housing voucher. After Nick died in 2022, Johnson continued to receive support but declined aftercare. Although she had housing in Des Plaines, she was found sleeping on the Blue Line, and Connections staff say that stigma or shame about seeking help again may have affected her recent housing stability. She last contacted the organization in January 2024 to pick up a Gift of Giving holiday drive card.

A suspect, Rhanni Davis, 30, was arrested the day of the shootings and has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder; Davis has been denied pretrial release. Connections plans to honor Johnson and the other victims at its memorial service on September 24, 2024. If anyone knew Margaret or has information about her recent movements, please share what is known.