On May 24, 2009, 18-year-old Marcel Mays of Chicago was fatally shot on a sidewalk in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. The killing is one of many homicides that year that fed into a larger pattern of youth gun violence affecting several Chicago neighborhoods.

Greater Grand Crossing is described as one of the areas heavily affected by gun violence, and Marcel’s death is presented as part of recurring incidents where young lives were cut short amid broader problems of crime, economic hardship and systemic disinvestment. Community programs and increased police presence were in place but had not prevented continued violence.

If anyone knew Marcel, witnessed what happened, or has information that could help, please come forward to share what you know.