Genorel Martin / Photo from Facebook
BY KALEY FOWLER
For Homicide Watch Chicago
Genorel Martin believed in seizing the moment -- so much so that he had the phrase “Carpe diem” tattooed on his back.
“He always saw the upside and he really was always optimistic,” said his girlfriend, Vyvyan Wesley. “He was always ready for new adventures and new challenges. ”
Martin, 24, was fatally shot Oct. 18 as he opened the door to his apartment building in the 6700 block of South Throop Street in Englewood, authorities said.
Martin was born and raised in Englewood and wanted to better the community, Wesley said.
“He was in a lot of trouble as a youth, did the jail thing and all of that, and his goal was to not see others end up on that path,” Wesley said. “Rebuilding our community was really important to him. He knew what it was like to be a product of that environment and always said, ‘I don’t want our brothers and sisters to go through those things.’ He wanted to let other people know there is another way.”
Wesley, 24, described Martin as an intelligent person who loved to read and write. He especially enjoyed reading The Holy Bible and the works of authors Cornell West and Robert Green, she said.
Martin was clever with words and enjoyed writing poetry and freestyle rapping, Wesley said.
His favorite rapper was Tupac Shakur, whose intellect he idolized, Wesley said.
Prior to the shooting, Wesley and Martin discussed getting married, she said.
“Looking back, it’s almost as if he knew, even though he didn’t. He said, ‘Vyv, I love you so much you mean the world to me I can’t wait for us to take the next step in our lives,’" Wesley said. "I’m grateful that he left me on that note rather than us arguing or not speaking to each other. I’m grateful that we had that chance to say our last ‘I love yous’ -- a lot of people don’t get that.”
Nobody has been charged for the murder. Area South detectives are investigating.