Geanni Boyd, a 16-year-old African American male, was tragically killed on September 4, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred in the Washington Park neighborhood, where Geanni was sitting on a porch with another boy when a bicyclist rode by and opened fire. Geanni was struck multiple times in his lower extremities and was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
The other boy, aged 15, sustained a graze wound and was treated at the scene.
The investigation revealed that both teenagers were documented gang members. The shooter, identified as 16-year-old Deven Skipper, was arrested and charged with the murder of Geanni Boyd and the wounding of the 15-year-old boy. The attack was reportedly a result of a prior altercation between Skipper and the 15-year-old boy. Two days before the shooting, Skipper had started a fight with the 15-year-old and his brother outside their home. Although police were called, no charges were pressed at that time.
On the day of the shooting, Skipper rode up on a bicycle and fired multiple shots at Geanni Boyd and the others standing on the porch. Geanni, a student at Olive-Harvey Alternative High School, was hit several times and succumbed to his injuries. Skipper, a student at Kenwood High School, was later identified by the surviving victims and arrested at his home. He was held without bail and faced charges of first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.
The case highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence in Chicago and the devastating impact it has on young lives. Despite the arrest and charges, the community continued to grapple with the loss of Geanni Boyd and the broader implications of youth involvement in gang activities. The legal proceedings against Deven Skipper underscored the challenges law enforcement and the judicial system face in addressing such violent crimes and preventing future incidents.
