Lee Andrew McCullum III, a 22-year-old African American male from Chicago, IL, was tragically killed on May 12, 2016. McCullum, who had been featured in the 2014 CNN documentary series "Chicagoland," was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head in the 500 block of West 126th Street in the West Pullman neighborhood. The Chicago Police discovered his body at approximately 12:37 a.m., and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:22 a.m.
McCullum's death marked a heartbreaking end to a young life that had shown significant promise and transformation.
McCullum's story was one of resilience and hope. He had been a student at Fenger High School, where he was known for his leadership and was even crowned prom king. Despite his involvement in gang activities during his early years, McCullum had turned his life around, earning acceptance to Talladega College in Alabama. However, he did not attend college, and his life continued to be marred by the violence that plagued his community. In 2014, McCullum was shot twice in the leg in a drive-by shooting, and just a month before his death, his girlfriend, Tiara Parks, was also shot and killed.
The investigation into McCullum's murder revealed that he was a documented gang member, which may have played a role in his untimely death. Despite the efforts of many, including Fenger's then-principal Elizabeth Dozier, to help him escape the cycle of violence, McCullum struggled to leave his past behind. At the time of his death, he was working at a fast-food restaurant and was a father to a young daughter. The homicide remained under investigation, with no arrests or charges made immediately following the incident.
McCullum's death is a stark reminder of the ongoing violence in Chicago and the challenges faced by young people trying to break free from its grip. His story, as depicted in "Chicagoland," highlighted both the potential for change and the harsh realities that many in his community face daily. The loss of Lee Andrew McCullum III is a poignant example of the broader issues of gun violence and systemic challenges in urban America.
