Joseph Brewer, a 16-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on July 14, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred at a Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) complex located in the 10500 block of South Oglesby Avenue. Brewer was pursued by two men, one of whom was later identified as Aries Sanders. Surveillance footage captured the suspects following Brewer through the complex before one of them opened fire, hitting Brewer multiple times.
He sustained eight gunshot wounds to his legs and back and was pronounced dead less than an hour later at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The investigation into Joseph Brewer's death led to the arrest of Aries Sanders, who was 26 years old at the time. Sanders was charged with second-degree murder and was found guilty after a bench trial. During the trial, it was revealed that Sanders and another suspect, who has not been charged, arrived at the CHA complex with a gun case. The other suspect was seen on surveillance video carrying a large gun partially covered by a shirt. The video showed the suspect firing several shots at Brewer before both men fled the scene. Sanders was later arrested at his workplace, where he was employed as a postal worker.
In 2016, Aries Sanders was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting of Joseph Brewer. The sentencing took into account the 963 days Sanders had already served in the Cook County Jail. Despite the conviction of Sanders, the other suspect involved in the shooting has not been apprehended or charged. The case highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago and the challenges faced by law enforcement in bringing all perpetrators to justice.
