Dionus M. Neeley, a 39-year-old African American male, was tragically killed on July 2, 2016, in Hazel Crest, Illinois. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 2:20 a.m., when shots were fired at his home located in the 2400-block of Crescent Drive. Alongside Dionus, his two daughters, Elle Neely, aged 10, and Endia Neely, aged 3, were also fatally shot.
The mother of the children, Erin Ross, and three other children in the house managed to escape unharmed.
The police investigation revealed that the shooting was not a random act but rather a targeted attack. Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis III described the act as "pure evil" and emphasized that the shooter specifically targeted Dionus Neely. The police ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide and confirmed that the shots were fired from outside the house, as evidenced by the bullet holes on the front and back of the house.
Dionus Neely had an extensive criminal record, including drug-related arrests, which led the police to believe that his past might have played a role in the motive behind the attack. Despite this, the family of Dionus Neely expressed frustration with the police's suggestion that his criminal background was the reason for the shooting. They emphasized that Dionus was a loving father and that his children were happy and well-loved.
The investigation into the triple homicide involved 30 detectives and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force. Despite the extensive efforts, no suspects were identified, and no arrests were made. The police continued to canvass the neighborhood and urged anyone with information to come forward. The community and family members held vigils and pleaded for justice, hoping that someone would provide crucial information to solve the case.
The tragic deaths of Dionus Neely and his daughters left a profound impact on the Hazel Crest community. The family set up a GoFundMe page to support the surviving members and to honor the memory of Dionus, Elle, and Endia. The case remains unsolved, and the search for justice continues.
