Khalil Tariq White-El, an 18-year-old Black male from Chicago, IL, was tragically shot and killed on August 23, 2022. Khalil was a member of St. Sabina Catholic Church's Strong Futures program, which focuses on violence intervention for young Black men. He had recently graduated from high school and secured a job at a local car wash. On the evening of his death, Khalil was shot multiple times in an alleyway near 87th and Wabash in the Chatham neighborhood.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Chicago Police Department.
Khalil's death has left his family and community devastated. His mother, Regina Howard, expressed her profound grief, stating that a piece of her heart was taken from her. Khalil was remembered as a polite, respectful young man who was actively involved in various youth programs at St. Sabina. Father Michael Pfleger, the pastor of St. Sabina, described Khalil as a promising youth who had been showing off his new work uniform just days before his untimely death.
Despite the efforts of the community and law enforcement, no arrests have been made in connection with Khalil's murder. Father Pfleger has publicly condemned the perpetrators, referring to them as "cowards and punks," and has vowed to seek justice for Khalil. The lack of arrests and ongoing investigation highlight the challenges faced by Chicago in addressing gun violence and bringing perpetrators to justice.
In the wake of Khalil's death, St. Sabina Church has continued its activism against gun violence, hosting events such as balloon releases and prayer services in his memory. The church remains a hub for community responses to violence, with programs like B.R.A.V.E. Youth Leaders and Purpose Over Pain, which support families affected by gun violence. Khalil's family and community continue to call for justice and hope that the perpetrator(s) will be apprehended and held accountable for this senseless act of violence.
