Corey Gates, a 54-year-old African American man from South Holland, Illinois, was fatally shot in Oak Park on April 4, 2025. The incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. on South Boulevard, just west of Wesley Avenue. Authorities responded to reports of gunfire and found Gates lying on the pavement with an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was pronounced dead at 2 a.m.
Witnesses reported seeing five males dressed in black clothing fleeing the scene. Shortly after, Oak Park police apprehended six individuals—three adults and three minors—matching the description. The suspects were seen running east on Pleasant Street from Cuyler Avenue before being taken into custody. However, no weapons were recovered at the scene, and no charges had been announced at the time of the initial investigation.
Gates, an Army veteran who served in the Gulf War, was reportedly targeted in an attempted carjacking. His family described him as a fighter, stating that he resisted the armed assailants who tried to steal his vehicle. His twin sister, Cathleen Gates, expressed deep sorrow over his death, emphasizing that he had always been a dependable and hardworking individual. She recounted speaking with him the day before the shooting, unaware that it would be their last conversation.
Residents in the area were startled by the gunfire, with some reporting hearing six to seven rapid shots. A witness described the gunfire as frantic rather than disciplined. Another resident, Marita Bollici, noted that she saw a group of people near a vehicle through her front doorbell camera after the shots were fired. She expressed concern for her neighborhood’s safety, stating that violent incidents had become more frequent.
Authorities continued their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Gates' death, with Oak Park police working to determine the motive and whether the suspects would face charges. The tragic incident left the community shaken, as residents and family members sought justice for the slain Army veteran.
