Antonio Shaffer, a 32-year-old African American man, was tragically killed on February 17, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois. Shaffer was sitting in his vehicle in the 100 block of South Cicero Avenue when two men approached and fired shots as he attempted to drive away. He suffered a gunshot wound to his back and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The incident occurred in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago.
Following the shooting, two men were charged in connection with Antonio Shaffer's death. Drew Hill, a 24-year-old man, faced charges of first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery. Hill, who was on parole for an unrelated case, was accused of firing the fatal shot. He was ordered held without bail and was due back in court shortly after the incident. Another suspect, Dwayne Mills, a 29-year-old man, was charged with fleeing police and driving on suspended licenses, both misdemeanor offenses. Mills was allegedly driving the vehicle involved in the shooting and was arrested along with Hill on the day of the incident.
Further investigation revealed that a third suspect, Larenzo Underwood, a 23-year-old man from west suburban Bellwood, was also involved in the shooting. Underwood was charged with first-degree murder after prosecutors stated that he fired the shot that killed Shaffer. The attack was captured on high-quality surveillance video, which showed Underwood and Hill approaching Shaffer's vehicle. Underwood allegedly took out a pistol and pointed it at Shaffer, leading to a struggle over the weapon. Hill then also drew a pistol and pointed it at Shaffer. As Shaffer tried to speed away, Underwood fired a shot that struck him in the upper torso. Shaffer's vehicle only made it about a block before stopping, and he was found unresponsive by police officers.
The suspects were apprehended shortly after the shooting. Hill and Mills were arrested after a short foot chase when the Maserati they were in crashed. Underwood was later caught obstructing traffic and was found with the same clothing he wore during the shooting. The case against the suspects proceeded with Hill and Underwood being held without bail, while Mills faced lesser charges related to his involvement in the incident. The tragic death of Antonio Shaffer highlighted the ongoing issues of gun violence and crime in Chicago, prompting further discussions on community safety and law enforcement efforts in the city.
