Mark Fulwiley, a 41-year-old African American man, tragically lost his life on July 18, 2020, in Ford Heights, Illinois. The circumstances surrounding his death were both shocking and tragic. On the night of the incident, Cook County Sheriff's Police responded to a call of shots fired in the 1400 block of Embassy Lane and a report of a gunshot victim in the 1000 block of Lexington Circle in Ford Heights. Upon arrival at the Lexington address, officers found a 29-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his head. The victim was conscious and was transported to the hospital.
While at the Lexington address, officers were notified of another gunshot victim at the Embassy Lane address. Upon arrival, officers found Leon Franklin, a 41-year-old African American man, unconscious on the ground near the residence. Officers also found Lester Jackson, a 37-year-old African American man, unconscious inside the home. Both men suffered gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect, Montez Fulwiley, a 30-year-old African American man from Ford Heights, held a woman at gunpoint inside the Embassy Lane home just prior to the shooting. Montez Fulwiley was arrested by Sheriff's Police on Wednesday and subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of aggravated kidnapping while armed with a firearm. He is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing at the Markham Courthouse.
The investigation into the incident revealed that Montez Fulwiley had a history of violent behavior and had previously been involved in criminal activities. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but it is believed that a personal dispute may have escalated into the tragic events of that night. The community of Ford Heights was left in shock and mourning as they grappled with the loss of three lives and the impact of the violence on their neighborhood.
