A tragic incident unfolded in West Pullman on Sunday afternoon when a 53-year-old man was discovered shot to death on the street. What makes this case particularly troubling is that not a single 911 call was reported regarding gunfire in the vicinity at the time of the incident.
The precise timing of the shooting is still under investigation, a shadowy detail attributed in part to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to deactivate the city’s gunfire detection system approximately one year ago.
According to the Chicago Police Department, officers were summoned to the 11800 block of South Emerald Avenue around 3:15 p.m. following a report of an individual lying unresponsive. Upon arrival, they found the man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was swiftly transported to Christ Hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as Sheldon Fulford, a resident of Bloomington. Police have reported that no shell casings were found at the crime scene, and the 911 caller who discovered Fulford did not observe any gunman in the area based on preliminary assessments.
Alderman Ronnie Mosley, who represents the 21st Ward where Fulford was shot, was among the majority of City Council members advocating for the continuation of Chicago’s ShotSpotter contract last year.
Mayor Johnson dismissed these requests, leading to the citywide deactivation of the system at midnight as September 22 shifted into September 23, 2024.
Since ShotSpotter’s termination, CWBChicago has documented 57 shooting victims whose cases were marked by a lack of 911 calls reporting gunfire or timely notifications about injuries. This averages out to about one individual each week who could have benefited from the technology.
About this series
As of 12:01 a.m. on September 23, 2024, Chicago officially ceased using ShotSpotter, the gunfire detection technology that had previously been operational in the city’s most high-violence neighborhoods. This system provided law enforcement with accurate alerts regarding gunfire, often detailing precise street addresses and specific locations such as alleys, sidewalks, and gangways.
Despite significant advocacy from aldermen, affected residents, victims’ advocates, and even the police superintendent for the system’s retention, Mayor Brandon Johnson moved forward with the shutdown.
On this page, CWBChicago monitors instances where individuals were found shot in areas that were previously covered by ShotSpotter—cases where the technology could have played a crucial role in ensuring a swift police response, particularly in situations lacking 911 calls or where information provided was vague or inaccurate.
Editor’s note: A previously indexed case labeled as #13 was removed on May 21, 2025, following a determination by the Cook County Medical Examiner that the individual’s death resulted from suicide due to a fall from height.
Tim Hecke serves as the managing partner of CWBChicago. He began his broadcasting career at KMOX, a historic news radio station in St. Louis before taking his expertise to various stations in Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York City. Tim has also developed syndicated radio news and content services that served all of America’s 100 largest radio markets. He became CWBChicago’s managing partner in 2019.
For inquiries, his email is tim@cwbchicago.com
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