Toby Shermaine Boens Jr., a 22-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on June 21, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois. Toby, affectionately known as "Tweet" by his family and friends, was born on September 9, 1997, in Chicago. He was a beloved member of his community, known for his love of outdoor activities and his passion for the game Mortal Kombat.
Toby's untimely death left a significant void in the lives of his family and friends, who cherished his memory and mourned his loss deeply.
On the evening of June 21, 2020, Toby Shermaine Boens Jr. was fatally shot in the 800 block of North Springfield Avenue in Chicago's East Garfield Park neighborhood. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m., and Toby was pronounced dead at the scene. A 34-year-old man was also critically injured in the shooting and was taken to Stroger Hospital for treatment. The shooting was captured on a private surveillance video, which later played a crucial role in the investigation.
The investigation into Toby Shermaine Boens Jr.'s death led to the arrest of Anthony Neal, a 24-year-old man from Marquette Park. Neal was charged with felony first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. The Chicago police identified Neal as the shooter through his Facebook account, and he was apprehended on December 23, 2020. Neal was held without bail and faced multiple court appearances as the legal proceedings unfolded. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office reported that detectives recovered ten fired shell casings from the scene, further solidifying the case against Neal.
The tragic death of Toby Shermaine Boens Jr. highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago, where he was one of 104 people shot over that weekend in late June 2020. The community and Toby's family continued to seek justice for his untimely death, hoping that the legal system would hold the perpetrator accountable for his actions. The case against Anthony Neal progressed through the courts, with the hope that justice would be served for Toby and his family.
