Latron Tate, a 39-year-old African American man, was fatally shot on June 2, 2022, in the Park Manor neighborhood of Chicago, IL. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Champlain Avenue. Tate was struck in the chest and abdomen and was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Another man, aged 41, was also shot in the chest during the same incident and was taken to the same hospital, where his condition was initially unknown.
The shooting was a
result of a confrontation involving Colby Aiknes, a 34-year-old convicted felon. Aiknes, who was the brother of Tate's girlfriend, confronted Tate and his 41-year-old friend while they were drinking on the back porch of an apartment building. The confrontation escalated, leading Aiknes to shoot both men. Tate suffered gunshot wounds to his forearm, chest, and thigh, and was found dead on the porch by a neighbor who attempted to provide aid. The other victim was left paralyzed from his injuries.
Following the shooting, Aiknes fled the scene, leaving his car behind, which was later set on fire. He was arrested on August 19, 2022, in the 6200 block of South Drexel Avenue, just a few blocks from his home. During his arrest, Aiknes was found with a revolver, ammunition, and brass knuckles. He exhibited violent behavior while in custody, including threatening to commit suicide and wiping excrement on the walls of his cell, which led to his sedation at St. Bernard Hospital.
Aiknes was charged with felony counts of first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and resisting arrest. His initial court hearing revealed his previous convictions, including armed robbery in 2015 and weapons and drug possession charges in 2020. Despite the prosecution's request for Aiknes to be held without bail, Judge Kelly Marie McCarthy set his bail at $1 million due to his absence from the hearing. The case against Aiknes is ongoing, with further legal proceedings expected to address the charges related to the fatal shooting of Latron Tate and the injury of the other victim.
