Lesean Long, a 32-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on February 28, 2021, in the Brainerd neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 3:35 a.m., when Long was at his girlfriend's house. He received a phone call and stepped outside, where he was subsequently shot. Police arrived at the scene quickly enough to witness a gold Chrysler minivan speeding away.
Despite their efforts to stop the vehicle, it managed to escape. Long was found unresponsive in front of a home in the 9100 block of South Emerald Avenue and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into Lesean Long's death led to the arrest of Cartez McGary, a 23-year-old male, who was charged with one count of first-degree murder. McGary was identified as the shooter and was apprehended on July 8, 2021. According to the police, McGary had a dispute with Long over a half-pound of marijuana, which ultimately led to the fatal shooting. McGary was also involved in another violent incident shortly after Long's murder. On St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2021, McGary shot another man during a robbery at a gas station. The investigation revealed that the shell casings from the gas station shooting matched those found at the scene of Long's murder, further implicating McGary in the crime.
During the legal proceedings, McGary pleaded guilty to the charges of murder and discharging a firearm during a robbery. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of Lesean Long and an additional eight years for the robbery and shooting at the gas station. The judge overseeing the case, Joanne Rosado, handed down the sentences as part of a plea deal. The prosecution dropped the aggravated fleeing case that McGary was initially on bail for at the time of both shootings.
The tragic death of Lesean Long highlights the ongoing issues of gun violence and drug-related disputes in Chicago. Despite the swift action by law enforcement and the subsequent conviction of the perpetrator, the loss of Long's life remains a poignant reminder of the city's struggles with crime and violence.
