Rashad Verner, an 18-year-old African American male from Chicago, IL, was tragically shot and killed on September 28, 2020. Rashad was a promising senior at Urban Prep Academies in the Bronzeville neighborhood, known for his academic excellence and athletic prowess as a football player. On the afternoon of his death, police responded to a call at a home in the South Shore neighborhood, where they found Rashad unresponsive with gunshot wounds.
He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Another victim, a 19-year-old male, sustained gunshot wounds to the shoulder and back but survived.
The circumstances surrounding Rashad's death were initially unclear, with his family describing the incident as a tragic accident. However, further investigation revealed that Rashad and his friend had gone to the location to purchase a gun. The transaction turned into a robbery, during which Rashad was shot and killed. The perpetrators intended to rob Rashad of the $350 he had brought for the gun purchase.
In June 2021, two suspects, Justin Jones, 19, and Jasper Price, 25, were charged with Rashad's murder. Both suspects were already in police custody for other crimes when they were charged. The investigation revealed that the suspects had planned to rob Rashad during the phony gun sale. A third individual involved in the shooting has not yet been apprehended. The case remains under investigation, with no further arrests reported.
Rashad's death has left a profound impact on his family, friends, and the Urban Prep community. He was remembered as a bright and ambitious young man who aspired to attend college and make a positive difference in his community. His untimely death highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago and the need for continued efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of young people in the city.
