Charles Starks, a 20-year-old African American male from Chicago, IL, was tragically killed on September 16, 2021, in a gang-related shooting in the Austin neighborhood. The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. in an alley in the 600 block of North Central Avenue. Charles Starks and another individual were biking through the alley when they encountered Joshua Scarver, an 18-year-old male from Austin.
Scarver, who was just 17 at the time of the incident, had a history of hostile interactions with Starks, including forcibly stealing money and cannabis from him a week prior. This ongoing conflict between rival gang factions ultimately led to the fatal encounter.
On the day of the shooting, Scarver punched Starks before retrieving a handgun from an SUV and opening fire. Starks was struck three times as he and the other individual attempted to flee. The other individual managed to escape to a nearby youth center and called 911, providing the location of the attack. Starks was found unresponsive in the alley and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Investigators recovered 25 shell casings from the scene, indicating the intensity of the shooting.
Joshua Scarver was identified as the shooter with the help of his mother, who provided a videotaped statement acknowledging that she saw her son fire multiple gunshots during the attack. Scarver was charged with first-degree murder and held without bail. If convicted, he faces a possible life sentence. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence in Chicago and the devastating impact it has on young lives like that of Charles Starks.
