Man Found Murdered in Far South Side Alley
A man was discovered murdered, shot multiple times and left alone in a Far South Side alley early Saturday morning. Despite the violent act, no one reported hearing gunfire in the area.
The victim, who remains unidentified, was found wearing a ski mask when officers arrived at the scene in the 13000 block of South Avenue M around 1:18 a.m. Chicago Police Department stated that he appeared to be between 20 and 30 years old.
Approximately five shell casings were found at the scene, which was located behind a neighborhood bar frequented by Chicago police officers and firefighters.
It is worth noting that until last September, the 13300 block was covered by the city’s ShotSpotter gunfire detection system. Mayor Brandon Johnson made the decision to disconnect the technology as of September 23, going against the wishes of most aldermen, the majority of city residents, and CPD Supt. Larry Snelling.
Ald. Peter Chico (10th), a former Chicago police officer, represents the area where the victim was found. Chico was part of the City Council’s two-thirds majority that advocated for keeping ShotSpotter active last year. He shared his personal experiences of how ShotSpotter had helped him locate gunshot victims in need of help, even when no one had called 911.
End of ShotSpotter in Chicago
As of 12:01 a.m. on September 23, 2024, Chicago terminated its relationship with ShotSpotter, a gunfire detection system deployed in 12 of the city’s most violence-impacted neighborhoods. Mayor Brandon Johnson stood firm on his decision to dismantle ShotSpotter, despite opposition from aldermen, citizens, victim advocates, and law enforcement officials.
The “Brandon’s Bodies” reporting series aims to highlight cases of shooting victims and police investigations that could have benefited from gunshot detection technology. The criteria for inclusion are gunshot victims found outside in areas previously covered by ShotSpotter with no 911 calls about gunfire or calls that did not lead to the timely location of the victim.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of utilizing advanced technology to combat gun violence and ensure swift responses to emergencies in our communities.
