Dearl Butler Jr., a 22-year-old African American man from Chicago, IL, was tragically killed on June 12, 2021, in a drive-by shooting in the South Loop area. Around 1:20 p.m., Dearl was sitting in his parked Dodge Charger on the 600 block of South Wells Street when a white Kia Sedan pulled up next to his car. The gunman fired more than 60 rounds, striking Dearl 14 times. Despite being rushed to Stroger Hospital, Dearl succumbed to his injuries.
The incident also involved a series of traffic accidents as Dearl's car collided with another vehicle following the shooting. A dog that was in the car with Dearl was also injured but survived.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Dearl's death a homicide. Family members described Dearl as a hardworking young man who was employed at two jobs and took care of his sister, who has autism. They believe that his murder was a case of mistaken identity. The police have not disclosed any arrests or identified any suspects in connection with the shooting. Area One detectives are actively investigating the case, but as of now, no one has been taken into custody.
The shooting of Dearl Butler Jr. is part of a troubling trend of increasing violence in the Loop area of Chicago. By mid-2021, the neighborhood had already seen nine shooting victims, compared to six at the same point in the previous year. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, hoping for justice and an end to such tragic incidents.
