Bruce Wright was shot to death while riding a bicycle in the Humboldt Park neighborhood late Tuesday.

Wright, 23, was riding the bike in the 900 block of North Hamlin Avenue when a van pulled up and someone inside opened fire about 10:10 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.

One of the bullets struck Wright, of the 0-100 block of North Hamlin Avenue, in the head and died at the scene, authorities said.

An autopsy found he died of multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

Marcel Pearson / Photo from Twitter

BY KALEY FOWLER
Homicide Watch Chicago

Marcel Pearson was fatally shot late Tuesday near his Washington Heights area home just days before his college orientation.

Pearson, 17, and a 15-year-old acquaintance had just left a store and were walking through Robichaux Park in the 9200 block of South Eggleston Avenue when a white van pulled up about 10 p.m., authorities said. A gunman exited and opened fire -- hitting Pearson in the chest and back, police said.

However, a manager of his high school basketball team said Pearson was playing basketball in the park when he was shot.

Pearson, of the 1400 block of West 114th Place, was dead at the scene by the time emergency personnel arrived, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

"It's so sad that he died this way," said the manger, who is not being named because she is a juvenile. "He wasn't getting in trouble, he wasn't hanging on the corner, he was doing something he loved."

Pearson recently completed his education at Johnson College Prep High School, where he was part of the Englewood charter school’s first graduating class.

"He was the type of person who lights up the room," the manager said. "He was very caring. He never treated anyone wrong and he was nice to everybody. Everybody loved to be around him because he was so loving and caring and made everyone laugh."

A friend, who is not being named because he is a juvenile, described Pearson as a class clown who frequently got in trouble for cracking jokes and playing pranks. Despite the antics, the friend said Pearson took his education seriously.

Pearson averaged 17 points per game on the school basketball team and coach Stephen Gilbert said he was a captain his junior and senior year.

“We would play together, and I used to act like I could beat him, but I always knew in my mind that he was better than me,” the friend said.

Pearson had planned to attend Western Illinois University in the fall and saw college as his way out of the dangerous area where he grew up, the friend said. His high coach added Pearson hoped to make the basketball team at the downstate university.

“I talked to him a week ago and he just talked about college,” the friend said. “College was his number one goal. He just wanted to move out of the hood.”

A high school adviser was going to drive Pearson four hours to downstate Macomb so he could attend orientation, the friend said.

Photo by Jessica Koscielniak

BY STEVE BOGIRA
Chicago Reader

Chicago's homicide rate has drawn headlines this year, locally and nationally, and not without reason. Through July, 308 people had been slain here, 27 percent more than in the first seven months of 2011.

Every life lost to homicide is a tragedy, of course -- and a sense that the life was unfairly taken often heightens the pain. Compounding the unfairness, residents of certain neighborhoods are far more likely to suffer that fate.

We illustrated this last month by comparing homicide rates in two sets of Chicago communities -- the five poorest and the five least poor. The homicide rate in the poorest neighborhoods was 11 times the rate in the least-poor neighborhoods.

And if that isn't unfair enough, poverty -- and especially the concentration of poverty that segregation causes -- kills disproportionately in nonviolent ways as well.

Using the same two sets of communities, we extended our analysis beyond homicide—the eighth-leading cause of death in Chicago—to other, more common causes of death.

Our comparison shows that poor African-American neighborhoods should come with a surgeon general's warning. When it comes to the leading causes of death in Chicago (cancer, heart disease, diabetes-related illnesses, stroke, and unintentional injury), the mortality rate in the five poorest neighborhoods—Riverdale, Fuller Park, Englewood, West Garfield Park, and East Garfield Park—was far higher than in the five least-poor neighborhoods— Mount Greenwood, Edison Park, Norwood Park, Beverly, and Clearing. For diabetes-related deaths, it was almost double; for unintentional injury, it was more than double. The infant mortality rate—the rate of death in the first year of life—was two and a half times as high. And the death rate from all causes was 60 percent higher than in the wealthier counterparts, and 43 percent higher than the citywide rate.

Continue reading here

Debra Escobedo / Photo from DNAInfo.com/chicago

A Bridgeport woman died Monday, more than a month after she was shot in the Little Village neighborhood.

Debra Escobedo, 49, was shot about 3 a.m. June 1 when a gunman approached a group standing in the 2700 block of West 24th Street and opened fire, authorities said.

Escobedo, who was part of the group, was shot in the abdomen area, authorities said.

Escobedo's brother, Nelson Massallo, told DNAInfo Chicago his sister was leaving a bar when the gunman as young as 12 began shooting.

Escobedo, of the 3100 block of South Green Street, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where she died at 12:37 p.m. Monday, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Jacob Klepacz / Photo from Facebook

The death of a man found beaten in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in April has been ruled a homicide.

Jacob Klepacz, 32, was found with head trauma in the 1500 block of West Fullerton Avenue about 4 a.m. April 28, authorities said.

Klepacz, of the 1200 block of North Noble Street, died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center about a half hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Police said officers found Klepacz after someone called 911 to report a battery, but an autopsy was initially inconclusive.

The medical examiner's office has since determined Klepacz died of blunt head trauma from an assault and his death was ruled a homicide. Alcohol intoxication was listed as a contributing factor.

The initial inconclusive autopsy result sparked a movement on social media that pushed for a homicide ruling.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

The Facebook page Justice for Jacob Klepacz posted the following Wednesday:

We are still hoping to get answers as to who killed Jacob. It's very frustrating for us and we are doing the best we can to wait it out and be patient. All we can do right now is to keep all of our wonderful memories of Jacob in our hearts, share his story, his laughter, his compassion and make sure he is NEVER forgotten. We love him and miss him every day.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Michael Patton / Photo from Facebook

BY KALEY FOWLER
Homicide Watch Chicago

Michael "Yung Stacks" Patton decided in junior high that he wanted to be a rapper and devoted his life to music.

Michael, 17, was fatally shot about 10:40 p.m. June 30 in the 600 block of East 50th Place, authorities said.

Michael recently graduated from Bolingbrook High School, according to friends who are not being named because they are juveniles. Michael lived in southwest suburban Bolingbrook, but began making frequent trips to the city to stay with friends and family after his mother died this year.

“Rapping was his dream, and he sure had something special in him," a friend said. "He spilled his heart out in his music, rapping about his life and his struggles. He was planning to move back to the suburbs to work on his music.”

Authorities said Michael and a 15-year-old boy were in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood when a van approached. Somebody inside demanded money and a struggle ensued that ended with both teens shot, according to police, which described the incident as drug related.

“He wanted to be a good person, but he got caught up in trying to survive on his own,” a friend said. “He didn't have a whole lot of people, only a few who really cared about him.”

Patton's friends said he was especially close with his three sisters and said he would do anything for his friends and family.

“Not too long ago, Mike posted a photo of him and his littlest sister with a caption that said, 'Me and the little princess,'" a friend said. "It was real sweet."

Patton had a great sense of humor and an ability to make anyone laugh, according to his friends.

“He was always crackin' jokes,” a friend said. “In school he didn't care about getting in trouble, just having fun.”

Michael's friends said he will be greatly missed, and all of them acknowledged that Michael wouldn't want them to dwell on his death.

“If he was here right now he wouldn't want us crying,” a friend said. “He wouldn't like that.”

Nobody has been charged for the murder. Area Central detectives are investigating.

BY JORDAN OWEN
Sun-Times Media

Michael Johnson allegedly handed another man a revolver before the fatal shooting of Donald Ray Sunday evening on the West Side.

Johnson, 27, was charged with murder, aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm and aggravated assault/discharge of a firearm, authorities said. He was ordered held on a $1 million bond Thursday.

Prosecutors said Johnson's acquaintance was involved in an argument with Ray in the 5200 block of West Lake Street.

Ray and a friend walked back to Ray's car and attempted to leave, but Johnson went into a hallway and emerged moments later with a revolver, prosecutors said. Johnson handed the gun to his acquaintance, who opened fire on Ray’s car, prosecutors said.

Ray, 21, was shot in the head and died less than an hour later at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, authorities said.

The other man, 19, was shot in the right thigh and was treated at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, police said.

The argument and shooting were caught on video surveillance prosecutors said.

Johnson admitted to handing the gun to the shooter, who has not yet been charged, prosecutors said.

Martel Halbert / Photo from Chicago Police

BY JORDAN OWEN
Sun-Times Media

Before dying in surgery, Terrance McNeal told police that Martel “Party” Halbert had shot him, prosecutors said.

Halbert, 33, was charged with first-degree murder Wednesday for the May 4 shooting in the Austin neighborhood. He was ordered held without bond during a Thursday court hearing.

Prosecutors said McNeal, 23, was riding a motorcycle in the 400 block of North LeClare when Halbert pulled up next to McNeal and fired multiple shots from a car about 3:15 a.m.

McNeal fell to the ground, and his motorcycle fell on top of him, prosecutors said.

Halbert then parked the car, walked over to the injured McNeal and attempted to shoot him again, prosecutors said. But the gun did not fire, Halbert allegedly ran back to his car and drove away.

McNeal, who was shot six times in the abdomen, told responding officers that “Party” shot him and provided Halbert's home address, prosecutors said.

McNeal, of the 400 block of North Leamington Avenue, died in surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital, authorities said.

Shakina McDowell, the father of McNeal’s 1-year-old daughter, said her boyfriend had gone to get a gyro for the couple to share when he was shot.

Terrance McNeal / Submitted photo

McNeal purchased a motorcycle about three weeks ago and enjoyed riding it through the Austin neighborhood, said his mother, Tracy McNeal. He talked about going to school to become a mechanic so he could make something of his passion for cars.

Officers used the information McNeal provided to identify Halbert, who prosecutors called a documented gang member.

Several witnesses also identified Halbert as the shooter, prosecutors said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Chicago Sun-Times reporter Frank Main tells the story of Bruce Wright and Brian Weekly, two men shot dead in Chicago who had been shooting victims before.

The first two shootings didn’t kill them.

But the third one did.

Two recent Chicago murder victims survived earlier gunshot wounds before they were killed, police confirmed Thursday. Bruce Wright, a parolee, was killed Tuesday on the Northwest Side, and Brian Weekly died last month on the South Side.

. . .

Police pointed to the two killings as examples of the difficulties in stopping violence in Chicago. Victims refuse to help detectives — and often wind up dead.

READ THE WHOLE STORY HERE

Damien Bryant was killed in possible drive-by shooting in the Austin neighborhood Friday night that left three other people wounded.

Bryant, 32, was shot in the head just after 8 p.m. in the 5200 block of West Quincy Street and died at the scene, authorities said. He lived on the block.

Three other people were wounded in the shooting, police said.

A 30-year-old woman was shot multiple times and showed up at Loretto Hospital, police said. She and was later transferred to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

A 41-year-old man took himself to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park with a gunshot wound to his hand, police said.

Another male, whose age was not known, was shot in the right arm and refused medical treatment, police said. He did not cooperate with authorities, police said.

Additionally, a 37-year-old man was taken from the scene to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park with a broken foot, police said.

Police believe the shooting may have been a drive-by attack.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Adarrius Thompson was killed in a domestic-related shooting that left his 50-year-old mother seriously injured early Saturday in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

A 47-year-old man got into an argument with Thompson and his mother at their apartment building in the 6200 block of South Rockwell Street about 1:15 a.m., authorities said.

Police said the older man left, but returned a short time later and shot Thompson and his mother.

Thompson was shot in the chest and died at the scene. His mother was also shot in the chest and was hospitalized at Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition, authorities said.

The relationship between the 47-year-old and the two victims was not immediately known.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

William Lewis was shot to death Saturday afternoon on the North Side.

Lewis, 28, was standing in the 1300 block of West Devon Avenue when a gunman walked up and shot him in the back about 3:20 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Lewis, of the 4700 block of North Hermitage Avenue, died at Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating if the shooting is gang related.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Twelve people died last week from shootings throughout Chicago.

Three of the shootings happened early last Monday at the end of a bloody Independence Day weekend that saw 13 people killed and 58 others wounded by gunfire.

The last shooting of the week happened when a gunman walked up to 28-year-old William Lewis in the 1300 block of West Devon Avenue and shot him in the head 3:20 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Lewis, of the 4700 block of North Hermitage Avenue, died at Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

In the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, 27-year-old Adarrius Thompson and his 50-year-old mother were shot during a domestic dispute at their home in the 6200 block of South Rockwell Street, authorities said.

Thompson was shot in the chest and died at the scene. His mother was also shot in the chest and was hospitalized at Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition, authorities said.

On Friday, 32-year-old Damien Bryant was shot in the head just outside his home in the 5200 block of West Quincy Street in the Austin neighborhood and died at the scene about 8 p.m., authorities said. Three other people were wounded in the shooting but survived.

On Wednesday, Jasmine Curry -- a pregnant 24-year-old mother of five -- was shot while in a minivan traveling south on the Dan Ryan Expressway near 59th Street, family said.

“I just don’t understand young people in Chicago today,” said her father, Pierre Curry. “They don’t give a damn. They ain’t got no heart.”

Jasmine Curry’s death comes slightly less than a year after her brother Pierce L. Curry was fatally shot while riding in a vehicle on the South Side in the early morning hours of Aug. 27, 2013.

On Tuesday, 23-year-old Bruce Wright was shot while riding a bicycle in the 900 block of North Hamlin Avenue about 10:10 p.m., authorities said. Wright, of the 0-100 block of North Hamlin Avenue, was shot in the head and died at the scene.

Wright was previously wounded in the left forearm just six days earlier— on July 2. He told police he heard shots and felt pain in his arm.

On Sept. 2, he was shot in his left wrist during a drive-by shooting, police said.

In the Washington Heights neighborhood, 17-year-old Marcel Pearson and a 15-year-old acquaintance had just left a store and were walking through Robichaux Park in the 9200 block of South Eggleston Avenue when a white van pulled up about 10 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. A gunman exited and opened fire — hitting Pearson in the chest and back, police said.

Pearson, of the 1400 block of West 114th Place, was dead at the scene by the time emergency personnel arrived, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Friends said Pearson played basketball at Johnson College Prep High School was about to start at Western Illinois University.

On Monday, 19-year-old Jaynisha Scheffer was walking with a group in the 2200 block of West 69th Street when someone rode up on a bicycle and opened fire at 7:05 p.m., authorities said.

Scheffer, of the 7600 block of South Paulina Street, was shot in the back and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn later that night, authorities said.

In the South Chicago neighborhood, 24-year-old Joey Henderson was shot in the 8400 block of South Buffalo Avenue when he was shot about 2:20 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

Henderson, who lived on the block, was shot in the back, chest, right arm and eye and died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital about an hour later, authorities said.

In the Washington Heights neighborhood, 19-year-old Cassius White and a 16-year-old acquaintance were shot in the 9600 block of South Sangamon Avenue about 12:30 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

White, of the 8200 block of South Dante Avenue, was shot in the abdomen area and died later that day at Christ Medical Center, according to the medical examiner’s office. The 16-year-old was also wounded, but survived, police said.

The killings started when 44-year-old Tonya Gunn was leaning against a car and talking to her cousin after a cookout at her grandfather’s house in the 10900 block of South Throop Street when gunshots rang out about 12:30 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

Gunn, who lived on the block, was shot in the side and died less than an hour later at Roseland Community Hospital.

“As far as her being in the wrong place at the wrong time — I can’t say that,” Gunn’s cousin, Annette Scott, said.

Additionally, two people died last week from earlier gunshot wounds.

William Allen, 25, of the 3500 block of South State Street, died last Monday after being shot June 6 near East 80th Street and South Muskegon Avenue, authorities said. Two other men were wounded, but survived.

Debra Escobedo, 49, died Monday afternoon after being shot about 3 a.m. June 1 in the 2700 block of West 24th Street, authorities said. Escobedo, of the 3100 block of South Green Street, was talking with a group outside a bar when a gunman approached and opened fire, police and family said.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 216 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including nine people killed by police.

Additionally, the state’s attorney’s office filed first-degree murder charges against a speeding motorist who killed an off-duty police officer while trying to flee police even though the autopsy ruled the death an accident.

Chicago Police, which counts murders different, have ruled some of those homicides as involuntary manslaughter, justified self-defense or accidents.

William Lewis / Submitted photo

BY MITCH DUDEK
Chicago Sun-Times

Wil Lewis escaped poverty in Guatemala when he was adopted at age 7. Loving parents raised him in Wisconsin, where he found his two passions: photography and the woman who would become his wife.

He attended art school in Milwaukee and moved to Chicago two years ago. He was looking forward to starting a new job Monday, finally ending the rat race of freelance photography.

Lewis, 28, and his wife moved into a new Rogers Park apartment just two weeks ago. They were thinking about starting a family.

On Saturday, gunfire upended their plans. Lewis was standing in the 1300 block of West Devon Avenue about 3:20 p.m. when a gunman approached on foot and shot him in the back, police said. He was pronounced dead less than 40 minutes later.

“He was looking to start a family. He was talking about having children,” said Warren Rader, a close friend and fellow photographer. “Everything was going right for him.”

Lewis’ wife, an art director with the advertising firm Leo Burnett, called Rader on Sunday morning.

“She was inconsolable. She said Wil had been shot. She was just breaking down. I could hardly understand her,” said Rader, who noted they were about two weeks away from celebrating their second wedding anniversary.

Ald. Joe Moore (49th) happened to witness the shooting.

“I happened to be on Devon only a block from the shooting and heard the gunfire,” he said in a statement. “I looked up to see the assailant, who appeared to be a teenager, continue to fire his weapon at a group of fleeing youths. It is something I will never forget. I am told that police believe the shooting was a result of a gang dispute in another neighborhood that spilled into our own.”

Lewis was killed about 36 hours before he was set to begin his new job as a photographer for Trunk Club, an online men’s clothing store, Rader said.

“Wil was absolutely thrilled he was getting this new start in life and wasn’t going to be in the rat race as a freelancer,” Rader said.

Lewis’ family lived for a time in California, but they spent most of their time in Sturgeon Bay and Kaukauna, Wisconsin, where Lewis’ father, Joseph Lewis, worked as a high school principal.

“His dad had this philosophy of helping Wil and getting him a good life, and he did a great job at it,” said Rader, who attended the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design with Lewis.

Rader recalled a conversation he had with his friend in Milwaukee a year or two ago, before Lewis moved to Chicago.

“We were talking about conceal-carry gun licenses and how much nonsense it was and how unlikely it was that you’d ever get into a confrontation . . . He just thought it wasn’t something an everyday person would have to deal with,” Rader said.

To pay the bills, Lewis shot photos of products for various retailers, but his passion was street photography.

“One of his favorite things to do was just walk around and meet interesting people and hear their stories, feel the love,” Rader said. “He was excited to be in Chicago. It’s so big and there are so many unique people there.”

Rader said he spoke with Lewis on July 2 about a photo shoot he was planning.

“I texted him yesterday around the time he was shot. I never heard back,” he said.

“He was a pretty chill, relaxed, easygoing guy. He had a great aura and great energy and was always smiling and he always made your day better. He had these giant canines. We called them cannibal teeth, and people just loved that about him.” Rader said. “He was definitely one of my best friends.”

He’s having a hard time understanding why his friend is gone.

“His death is absolutely unnecessary. Chicago is getting a real bad rap for this. It’s getting way too common.”

Eric Vaughn / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Eric Vaughn was sentenced to seven years in prison for a 2004 attempted murder conviction. Now he is being held without bond on murder charges for his alleged role in a Saturday afternoon shooting on the North Side that left innocent bystander William Lewis dead.

Vaughn, a purported member of the Conservative Vice Lords street gang, was driving his car when another person in the car saw a rival gang member walking in the 1300 block of West Devon Avenue about 3:20 p.m. Saturday, said Assistant State's Attorney Glen Runk.

Vaughn stopped the car, pulled a gun from the center console, gave it to one of the passengers and said "wet that T-shirt up," meaning make the rival gang member bleed, Runk said.

Two passengers exited the car and fired about 10 shots at the suspected rival, Runk said. The 19-year-old intended target was not struck, but Wil Lewis was shot in the back as he waited at a nearby bus stop, Runk said.

Ald. Joe Moore (49th) said he witnessed the shooting.

“I happened to be on Devon only a block from the shooting and heard the gunfire,” he said in a statement. “I looked up to see the assailant, who appeared to be a teenager, continue to fire his weapon at a group of fleeing youths. It is something I will never forget.”

Lewis, 28, of the 4700 block of North Hermitage Avenue, died at Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Lewis attended art school in Milwaukee and moved to Chicago about two years ago, his friend Warren Rader said. He and his wife had moved in to Rogers Park just two weeks ago and he was set to start a new job Monday as a staff photographer for Trunk Club, an online men’s clothing store.

William Lewis / Submitted photo

After the shooting, the gunman and his accomplice chased the suspected rival across the street. Vaughn attempted to pick up the pair, but couldn't find them after the chase, Runk said.

Vaughn sped off down a residential street, almost struck another vehicle, then parked his car near the shooting scene, Runk said. Witnesses identified Vaughn to responding officers, who took him into custody, he said.

Vaughn, 31, of the 4400 block of North Clarendon Avenue, is charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder, police said. He is also charged with a misdemeanor count of reckless driving and three traffic citations for having no insurance, driving the wrong way on a one-way street and having no valid registration.

Vaughn was sentenced to seven years in prison for a 2004 attempted murder charge and two years in prison for a 2007 aggravated battery to a police officer charge. He also has been convicted three times for possession of a controlled substance.

On Monday, Judge Donald Panarese ordered Vaughn held without bond.

Vaughn has two children, ages 1 and 3, and lives with his pregnant fiance, his lawyer said. He obtained a G.E.D. and had been working at a car wash.

The shooter and his accomplice were photographed by a witness, but have not yet been charged for the murder, authorities said.

LaQuisha Hickman, 37, was killed last month in a double-murder in the Ashburn community. Reader Traci Hill posted this about her:

Laquisha was the sweetest person and a true friend. She loved her family.......I just don't understand............

BY EMILY BROSIOUS AND KALEY FOWLER
Homicide Watch Chicago

Instead of celebrating Jaynisha Schaffer’s 20th birthday, her friends and family were planning a funeral after she was fatally shot four days earlier in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

Schaffer, 19, was walking with a group in the 2200 block of West 69th Street when someone rode up on a bicycle and opened fire about 7:05 p.m. June 7, authorities said.

Schaffer, of the 7600 block of South Paulina Street, was shot in the back and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn later that night, authorities said.

Schaffer was walking with a group of female friends when they heard a gunshot and ran away. Schaffer didn’t realize she had been shot until she fell down, her family said.

Schaffer was a sophomore at Kennedy-King College, where she was studying architecture, her family said. She chose architecture because she loved to draw.

“She was an excellent drawer. If you stood still long enough she could draw you,” said a family member who asked not to be named.

In addition to drawing, Schaffer enjoyed dancing, family said. The oldest of five siblings, family described Schaffer as a typical 19-year-old who got good grades and stayed out of trouble.

“I think it’s just senseless for somebody to shoot her in the back like that in these streets,” the family member said. “I want the mayor to answer, 'why are all these children dying in the streets?' It’s a war zone. Why don’t they declare Martial law?"

Nobody has been charged for the murder. Area Central detectives are investigating.

Lawndale Nutall was fatally shot early Monday in the West Englewood neighborhood.

Nutall, 56, was shot in the 1500 block of West 72nd Street about 12:45 a.m., authorities said.

Officers responding to a call of shots fired found Nutall, of the 7200 block of South Paulina Street, dead on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the head, authorities said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Scene where Adam Lara was shot / Photo by Alex Wroblewski

A 16-year-old boy was killed and his father critically injured after gunfire erupted following an argument in a Hermosa neighborhood restaurant Monday afternoon.

Adam Lara and his 49-year-old father were shot inside a vehicle about 3:30 p.m. in the 2800 block of North Kenneth Avenue, police said.

Just before the shooting, Adam and his father got into an argument with two people at a nearby restaurant, police said. The father and son left and went back to their car, but the people they were arguing with followed and opened fire.

Adam, of the 4000 block of North Central Park Avenue, was shot in the head and died about two hours later at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, authorities said.

His father was shot in the back and was initially hospitalized in critical condition, police said.

After the shooting, the suspects ran westbound down an alley, police said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.