On February 19, 2023, a tragic shooting occurred on the northbound lanes of Interstate 57 near 111th Street in Chicago, Illinois, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including 13-year-old William L. Smith. Smith, an eighth-grader at the Montessori School of Englewood, was traveling in a vehicle with five other people when shots were fired at around 10:30 p.m..
The victims identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office included William L.
Smith, 13, Nasir Hall, 19, and 1-year-old A-mara Hall. Nasir Hall was the father of A-mara, and William Smith was related to the Halls. The vehicle, which was riddled with bullets, was driven off the expressway at 111th Street and Hamlet Avenue by the female driver, who was among those injured in the attack.
In addition to the three fatalities, three others were injured in the shooting. A woman was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious but stable condition, while two boys, ages 13 and 14, were taken to Comer Children's Hospital with similar conditions.
The community and school of William Smith were deeply affected by his death. Students and staff at the Montessori School of Englewood gathered to remember him, releasing orange and black balloons and sharing fond memories of his positive and uplifting presence. Smith had quickly become a respected and liked member of his school community despite having transferred there just a few months prior.
An investigation by the Illinois State Police led to the identification of a suspect, Sean Richardson, 20, who was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder. Richardson was taken into custody on an unrelated charge and is being held pending his first court appearance.
