On the evening of June 26, 2017, Deshawn Martin, a 13-year-old African American boy, was fatally shot in the Washington Heights neighborhood on Chicago’s Far South Side. At approximately 7:35 p.m., while Deshawn was playing basketball in the backyard of a home located in the 1000 block of West 103rd Street, an unidentified individual fired multiple shots, striking him in the chest.
Deshawn, who resided just a block away from the scene, was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 9:15 p.m.
Deshawn’s death occurred during a particularly violent day in Chicago, which saw four fatalities and eleven injuries from shootings across the city. The loss of this young African American male deeply affected the local community. Reverend Donovan Price, a faith leader with Pray Chicago, met with Deshawn’s family shortly after the incident, emphasizing the need for collective action against the pervasive violence impacting Chicago’s neighborhoods.
As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Deshawn Martin. The Chicago Police Department has not publicly identified any suspects, and the case remains unsolved. Deshawn's tragic death is part of a broader pattern of gun violence affecting young African American males in Chicago, highlighting ongoing concerns about community safety and the urgent need for effective interventions.
