Kevin Neely, a 43-year-old African American man, was tragically killed on June 14, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred in the Englewood neighborhood, where Neely was fatally shot by his wife, Jacqueline Creekmore, aged 44. The shooting was reportedly motivated by Creekmore's jealousy over Neely's perceived infidelity. According to prosecutors, Creekmore had previously caught Neely in a car with another woman and had fired shots at him, although no one was injured in that earlier
incident. On the night of the fatal shooting, Neely and Creekmore were together at Neely's home, drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis on his porch. At some point, Neely handed a small handgun to a witness, asking her to hold onto it, but she later gave the gun to Creekmore before leaving the scene.
The situation escalated when Neely and Creekmore got into a car and crashed near 73rd and Wentworth Avenue. After the crash, they had an argument, during which Neely asked Creekmore if she was going to "grab the gun." Creekmore then fired three shots at Neely, followed by a fourth shot a minute later. Neely suffered gunshot wounds to his chest and thigh. The sound of the gunfire was captured by ShotSpotter technology, a gunfire-detection system used by the city. Despite his injuries, Neely managed to drive a short distance before crashing into a small park. When police arrived, Neely was still responsive and identified Creekmore as the shooter, naming her as his girlfriend. Neely was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Jacqueline Creekmore was arrested later that morning and charged with first-degree murder. During her bond hearing, prosecutors detailed the events leading up to the shooting, emphasizing the couple's history of domestic disputes over Neely's alleged infidelity. Creekmore was denied bail and remained in custody as the case proceeded through the legal system. The Cook County medical examiner's office ruled Neely's death a homicide, citing multiple gunshot wounds as the cause of death. The investigation into the shooting revealed that two 9 mm shell casings and one live round were found at the scene, along with a fired projectile that hit the car's center console.
The tragic death of Kevin Neely highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the devastating impact it can have on families and communities. The case also underscores the importance of addressing issues related to jealousy and infidelity in relationships, as well as the need for effective interventions to prevent such violent outcomes. As the legal proceedings continue, the community mourns the loss of a life cut short by senseless violence.
