Yakez Semark, a 20-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on February 8, 2018, in Evanston, Illinois. Born on July 24, 1997, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Yakez moved to the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago at the age of three and later to Evanston, where he attended local schools and graduated from Evanston Township High School in 2015. Known for his creativity, kindness, and commitment to helping others, Yakez was a beloved member of his community.
He had recently moved into his first apartment and was working full-time at Shake Shack in Westfield Mall, with dreams of purchasing a home and eventually traveling the world.
On the night of February 8, 2018, Yakez Semark was fatally shot during a botched marijuana robbery. The incident occurred in an alley off the 1800 block of Hovland Court in Evanston. According to reports, Yakez had arranged to meet Malik Caswell, an 18-year-old African American male, through social media. After smoking marijuana together, Yakez gave some cannabis to Julius Francellno, another 18-year-old African American male, but Francellno did not pay for it. When Yakez confronted Francellno about the theft, Francellno shot him in the chest. Yakez was taken to Evanston Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight on February 9, 2018.
The investigation into Yakez Semark's death led to the arrest of Julius Francellno and Malik Caswell. Both men were initially charged with first-degree murder. Francellno eventually pleaded guilty to reduced charges of second-degree murder and unlawful vehicular invasion, receiving a 19-year prison sentence for the murder charge and an additional four years for the vehicular invasion, to be served consecutively. He is projected to be paroled in June 2029. Caswell pleaded guilty to armed robbery without a firearm and was sentenced to 19 years in prison, with a projected parole date in June 2027.
The tragic death of Yakez Semark has left a lasting impact on his family, friends, and the Evanston community. His mother, Evangeline Semark, a single mother and social justice advocate, has been deeply affected by the loss of her only son. The community has rallied around her, offering support and helping to keep Yakez's memory alive. The ongoing police investigation and subsequent legal proceedings have brought some measure of justice, but the pain of losing such a vibrant and promising young man continues to be felt by all who knew him.
