Pierre Johnson, a 14-year-old African American boy, was tragically killed in a shooting in the Fuller Park neighborhood of Chicago on June 1, 2023. Pierre was sitting on a porch across the street from his home when he was fatally shot, and several others were wounded in the incident. The shooting occurred in the 4200 block of South Wells Street, a location that had already seen violence in the past, as Pierre's older brother, Paris Johnson, had been critically wounded in a shooting on the same
block years earlier.
Pierre's death left a deep void in the community, as he was remembered for his infectious energy and love for baseball. His funeral was held at St. Sabina Church, where friends and family gathered to mourn the loss of a boy who had touched many lives. Despite the community's grief and the presence of a significant amount of evidence at the scene, including around 80 shots fired by multiple offenders, no one has been charged with Pierre's murder.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a 16-year-old boy was charged with firing at responding police officers, but this charge was unrelated to Pierre's death. The investigation into Pierre's murder remains ongoing, with his family and loved ones still seeking justice. Pierre's mother, Tharea Johnson, has expressed the profound impact of losing both of her sons to gun violence in the same neighborhood. The community continues to grapple with the pervasive issue of violence and the need for collective action to prevent further tragedies.
