Tyrell Wade, a 17-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on October 10, 2019, in Calumet City, Illinois. The incident occurred at the River Oaks Mall, where Tyrell Wade and 18-year-old Christin Ross were both shot. The shooting took place in the parking lot of the mall, and it was reported that the incident was not a random act of violence. Authorities indicated that there was no immediate threat to public safety following the shooting.
The investigation revealed that the shooting stemmed from an argument and a physical altercation involving Tyrell Wade, Christin Ross, and the suspect, Dajon M. Lewis, an 18-year-old male from Grinnell, Iowa. The altercation reportedly began inside the mall when Wade and Ross confronted Lewis, accusing him of robbing Ross's sister. After the confrontation, Lewis allegedly walked away, only to return with a handgun and open fire on the unarmed victims and witnesses as they exited the mall from a different entrance. Tyrell Wade was struck once in the head, while Christin Ross was shot twice in the head. Both victims succumbed to their injuries two days later at the hospital.
Dajon M. Lewis was subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Tyrell Wade and Christin Ross. An arrest warrant was issued for Lewis on October 15, 2019, and he was apprehended on October 25, 2019, following a traffic stop in Gary, Indiana. Lewis was held in Lake County, Indiana, before being extradited to Illinois for formal processing and charging. During a court appearance, a Cook County judge ordered Lewis to be held without bond, citing him as a danger to society and a threat to the public. Prosecutors presented surveillance video and witness testimonies that placed Lewis at the scene of the crime, further strengthening the case against him.
The deaths of Tyrell Wade and Christin Ross have left a profound impact on their families and the community. The legal proceedings against Dajon M. Lewis continue, with the hope that justice will be served for the tragic loss of these young lives.
