Sheldon McCraven / Family Photo
BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor
Sheldon McCraven was found shot to death in Logan Square more than six weeks ago, and authorities are still searching for his killer.
On Saturday, about two dozen family and friends braved the snow to distribute flyers offering up to $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of McCraven's killer.
McCraven, 23, was found with a single gunshot wound in the 2600 block of North Sawyer Avenue on Oct. 29, authorities said. He died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center a short time later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Family said McCraven had to work that morning, and was found on the corner near his home in the 2600 block of North Sawyer Avenue -- just blocks from the Logan Square Blue Line station.
"He was always happy, smiling and energetic," McCraven's mother, Esmerelda Mendoza said. "He was very giving. He was always willing to help people."
Family members said McCraven was born and raised in Logan Square. He attended Gordon Tech High School, Roberto Clemente Community Academy and Wilbur Wright College.
He was currently working as a personal assistant for the Illinois Department of Human Services and had a second job as a sales associate, Mendoza said.
"He was far from lazy," said friend Randy Green. "He used to walk so fast we couldn't keep up with him."
McCraven enjoyed traveling, and had visited the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Canada and the Bahamas, Mendoza said.
He also enjoyed sports, video games and rap music, family said.
"He loved to sing. He didn't have a great voice, but he loved to sing his rap," Mendoza said.
Green, 24, said McCraven "loved music more than anything" and the pair used to hang out at the Illinois Centennial Monument where the crowd gathered Saturday to pass out flyers.
Wearing white "Justice For Sheldon" pins, the group broke split up to distribute the flyers to homes and businesses throughout Logan Square.
"Our efforts here aren't going to bring him back, but if I can save some other mother from this pain ... that is what I am here to do. To bring justice," Mendoza said.
Mendoza said she calls detectives every other day and feels like her son's death is not being investigated properly and is just another number.
Anyone with information about the shooting should call police or Cook County Crime Stoppers at (800) 535-STOP to give an anonymous tip.