About this series
Following the termination of Chicago’s relationship with ShotSpotter on September 23, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in the Roseland neighborhood on New Year’s Day. A 29-year-old man was found fatally shot in an alley in the early hours of the morning. Despite efforts from bystanders to administer CPR, the man succumbed to his injuries.
The lack of ShotSpotter activation in the area has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the decision made by Mayor Brandon Johnson to deactivate the system. Ald. Anthony Beale, a vocal advocate for ShotSpotter, expressed disappointment in the City Council’s inability to extend the contract, emphasizing the system’s importance in violence-impacted neighborhoods.
Mayor Johnson’s decision to dismantle ShotSpotter, against the advice of key stakeholders and public opinion, has sparked controversy and led to the launch of the “Brandon’s Bodies” reporting series. This series aims to highlight cases where gunshot detection technology could have aided in police investigations and potentially saved lives.
As investigations into the New Year’s Day shooting continue, the community grapples with the consequences of the absence of ShotSpotter in detecting and responding to gun violence incidents. The ongoing debate surrounding the decision to deactivate the system underscores the importance of utilizing technology to address public safety concerns in Chicago’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
