On May 27, 2023, William Hair, a 35-year-old resident of Chicago, Illinois, was fatally shot in the Lakeview neighborhood. The incident occurred near the intersection of Broadway and Surf at approximately 2:15 a.m. Hair was walking a friend home from a nearby bar when he was approached by the occupants of a vehicle, which is believed to have been an attempted robbery.
According to his family, Hair's best friend was with him during the incident and attempted to save his life by performing CPR. Despite these efforts, Hair succumbed to his injuries. His brother, Matthew Hair, and father, Bill, described the event as "senseless" and expressed their deep grief over the loss.
The shooting was one of several violent incidents in the Lakeview area over a four-day period, with five people shot along a half-mile stretch of Broadway Avenue. However, investigators do not believe these shootings are connected. The increased violence has raised concerns about public safety and police manpower in the area, particularly with the 19th District being down 200 officers from over a decade ago.
Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward highlighted the need for increased police presence, especially with upcoming large-scale events such as a festival and a Cubs weekend. The family of William Hair is now focusing on honoring his memory and coping with the loss of a loved one who was described as someone who would forgive and was deeply connected to his friends and community.
