Jonathan Mills | Sun-Times file photo
By MICHAEL O'BRIEN AND JORDAN OWENChicago Sun-Times
Jonathan Mills, a standout basketball player at North Lawndale and the University of Southern Mississippi, was shot and killed Monday afternoon in North Lawndale.
The 26-year-old was outside a store in the 4100 block of West Roosevelt Road at 1:27 p.m. when someone approached and opened fire, according to Chicago Police. Mills suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
North Lawndale basketball coach Lewis Thorpe was at the scene. “It’s him,” Thorpe said. “I’m looking at the body right now.”
Mills, the father of two daughters, played with Southern Miss in the NCAA Tournament in 2012. After college, he played basketball overseas. He later played for the Chicago Fury of the Midwest Basketball League.
North Lawndale's Jonathan Mills scores over Marshall's Vince Garrett during a 2009 Public League game. | Sun-Times file photo
“He was like a son to me,” North Lawndale assistant coach Terry Johnson said. “It’s unbelievable. Everyone is just at a loss for words, such a great, great guy.
“Thorpe and I raised him like he was our son. He would call all the time and keep in touch. Everyone is just shocked. It’s a sad day for Chicago. He was doing well, playing basketball, trying to get back overseas and play.”
Mills was planning on working out at North Lawndale all week.
“He had just called us to make sure he could get into the gym this week,” North Lawndale assistant coach Terrence Redmond said. “He had been rehabbing from an ankle injury the past year. He’s the kind of guy that plays basketball literally every day. He wanted to get back overseas and play, almost everything he does is for his daughters.”
Former Southern Miss coach Donnie Tyndall praised Mills in a Tweet after hearing of his death.
I can't believe My guy Jonathan Mills was shot n killed today! He was the TOUGHEST kid I ever coached! I love you bro! Prayers 4 family! RIP
— Donnie Tyndall (@DonnieTyndall) July 25, 2016
Mills, a 2009 North Lawndale graduate, kept tight ties with the school after helping lead the Phoenix to the 2008 Class 2A state championship and the 2009 city title.
“Jon spoke to our teams so many times about what it takes and how to grow up in this type of atmosphere,” Redmond said. “It’s tough. He loved this city and he represented Chicago throughout the United States.”
The shooting occurred on the same block where Ald. Michael Scott (24th) has an office. A spokeswoman said she heard sirens and could see crime scene tape outside, but did not have further details She said the alderman was not in the office at the time of the shooting.