On March 3, 2023, Kelvin Lee, a 37-year-old father, was fatally shot in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred in the 7500 block of North Damen Avenue around 8:51 p.m. when police responded to a call of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers found Lee unresponsive inside a residence. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead due to a gunshot wound to the head.
Lee's family described him as a man on a new path to success, having finalized plans to join the family business just hours before his death. His uncle, Anthony Jones, shared that they had a video chat earlier that evening to finalize Lee's train ticket to Champaign, where he was set to join the family business over the weekend. Lee's mother, Kathy Ajighevi, expressed her deep grief, stating she would never get over the loss of her son.
The circumstances leading up to Lee's death are still under investigation. According to witnesses, Lee had gone to the apartment to visit a friend. A resident of the building, Jessica Bernardi, reported hearing shots and seeing someone running away quickly down the stairs and out the door. Bernardi also described the scene after calling for help, where she found the tenant upstairs crying and holding the deceased.
Chicago Police are investigating the incident and have identified a person of interest, although no charges have been filed as of the latest reports. The woman inside the residence where the shooting occurred was taken in for questioning. Lee's family is seeking justice and has vowed to do everything possible to uncover the truth behind his death.
A memorial was set up by Lee's family outside the building where the shooting happened, near Birchwood and Damen Avenue, with balloons and candles. The community and family are mourning the loss of a man described as a brother, father, and friend who was always there for others.
