Kenneth M. Bell Jr., a 27-year-old man from Chicago, was one of three people killed in a daylight shooting on April 17, 2026, in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. He was standing with others on a sidewalk near the 4000 block of West Maypole Avenue, close to North Pulaski Road, when a vehicle pulled up just before 5 p.m. At least two armed people got out and opened fire on the group.
The gunfire struck four people.
Bell suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Also killed were 36-year-old Lavell Lee and 32-year-old Rickia Williams. Lee was shot multiple times and died at the scene, while Williams was shot in the head and later pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. A fourth victim, a 35-year-old man whose name was not released in the reports, was shot multiple times and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.
The shooting unfolded in a busy area near businesses, homes, an alley, and a barbershop identified in reporting as Gotcha Faded. Afterward, police appeared to focus part of their investigation around the barbershop, with officers entering and leaving the storefront and guarding the entrance. Another man was also hurt while trying to escape the gunfire; he was not shot, but reportedly broke his ankle while running away and was taken to Humboldt Park Health Hospital in good condition.
Investigators said the attackers fled after the shooting. A police report cited by local reporting said the vehicle involved was later found burned, suggesting the offenders may have tried to destroy evidence after the attack. Police had not publicly released a motive, and the shooting was described as a brazen daytime attack on a group standing outside.
As of the available reporting, no arrests had been announced and no suspects had been publicly identified by name. Chicago police said no one was in custody, and Area Four Detectives were investigating. Cook County Crime Stoppers offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest, urging anyone with knowledge of the shooting or surveillance evidence from the area to come forward anonymously.
