Shaquita Denise Bennett, a 31-year-old African American woman, was tragically shot to death on April 5, 2018, in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, IL. The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. in the hallway outside her apartment in the 6900 block of South Clyde. Bennett was pronounced dead at the scene, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
The primary suspect in Bennett's murder was her ex-boyfriend, Deshawn Johnson, who was 34 years old at the time of his arrest.
Johnson had a history of abusive behavior towards Bennett, which included stalking, harassment, and threats. Bennett had filed multiple protective orders against Johnson, the first of which was issued in August 2013. Despite these efforts, Johnson continued to violate the orders and persist in his abusive behavior.
In the months leading up to her death, Bennett had reported Johnson's threats and violations of the protective orders to the police on numerous occasions. On December 14, 2017, Johnson left Bennett a voicemail message threatening to "blow her brains out." He was subsequently arrested and held on $10,000 bail, which was later reduced to $5,000, allowing him to be released. While out on bond, Johnson continued to violate the order of protection.
Following Bennett's murder, Johnson was arrested and charged with her murder. He was held without bail at the Cook County Jail, with his next scheduled court appearance set for April 14, 2018. Bennett's mother, Veardena Pryor, filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department, claiming that officers and emergency dispatchers failed to respond to her daughter's repeated pleas for protection. The lawsuit detailed the numerous efforts Bennett made to protect herself from Johnson, including filing for protective orders and alerting the police when Johnson violated those orders.
Bennett's case highlights the systemic challenges faced by victims of domestic violence in obtaining protection and justice. Despite her repeated attempts to seek help and the issuance of protective orders, the system ultimately failed to prevent her tragic death. The case underscores the need for more effective measures to protect victims of domestic violence and hold abusers accountable for their actions.
