Kenwon Parker, a 15-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on August 16, 2018, in Garfield Park, Chicago. The incident occurred during a chaotic scene at a park district's teen basketball game, where over 50 officers responded to emergency calls. The situation escalated when three fights broke out, leading to someone opening fire. Kenwon Parker was shot in the chest and was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital.
His family, including his mother Keyoner Westbrooks and aunt Tina Westbrooks, expressed their grief and frustration over the lack of video evidence from the police and the park district's security cameras.
The investigation into Kenwon Parker's death has been fraught with challenges. Despite the presence of numerous officers and the chaotic nature of the scene, critical video evidence was missing. The Chicago Police Department stated that patrols that night included officers working park district security who were not required to have body cameras, and the responding officers' body cameras were either turned off or not in the area where Kenwon was shot. Additionally, detectives informed the family that the security cameras at Garfield Park were not operational at the time of the incident. This lack of video evidence has significantly hindered the investigation.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a 13-year-old was taken into custody on a weapon's violation, but no charges have been filed in connection with Kenwon Parker's death. The family has been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the investigation and the lack of accountability. They have held protests and lobbied for the installation of security cameras at the Garfield Park Field House to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The family's efforts have led to the installation of a single security camera at the park entrance, but they continue to advocate for a more comprehensive surveillance system to ensure the safety of the community and to seek justice for Kenwon Parker.
