Arsennial C. Allen, age 28, was fatally shot on April 6, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred in the South Side of Chicago when Allen was approached by Jaquel Foots, age 20, while standing outside a store. Foots requested a hit from Allen's blunt, but when Allen refused, Foots shot him in the head. This heinous crime was caught on surveillance footage, and Allen was subsequently taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead. The assailant, Foots, was later charged with murder and held on $2 million bail.
Allen's death highlighted ongoing issues of senseless gun violence in Chicago, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods on the South Side. The 2017 murder added to the distressing number of homicides that Chicago experienced that year, amid continued struggles with gang activity and access to firearms. Allen was remembered fondly by friends and family for his outgoing and loving personality. Many took to the Gun Violence Memorial to light candles and share memories, expressing the loss they felt and the impact of his death on the community. His tragic death underscores the urgency of addressing gun violence and improving public safety in Chicago.
The tragedy surrounding Allen’s death, along with many similar incidents, brings to light the challenges that residents in high-crime areas continue to face and serves as a reminder of the need for more comprehensive efforts to reduce violence in the city.
