On January 7, 2017, 31-year-old Jason E. Goodfriend was found fatally shot in his car near the Chicago Tech Academy, where he served as the business and finance manager. Police discovered him slumped over the wheel of his still-running vehicle in the 1300 block of West Hastings Street, in the University Village neighborhood, around 9:50 a.m. An autopsy confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound to the head, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Goodfriend, known to friends as "Jay," was a Wheaton native and a graduate of Wheaton Warrenville South High School and the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), where he earned a bachelor's degree in finance. At the time of his death, he was pursuing a master's degree in accounting at UIC. He had been employed at Chicago Tech Academy since September 2015, contributing significantly to the school's operations.
In the aftermath of his death, friends and family expressed their grief and remembered Goodfriend as a genuine, honest, and sincere individual who had touched many lives. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist his family with funeral expenses, reflecting the community's support during this tragic time.
As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made in connection with Goodfriend's murder. The Chicago Police Department continues to investigate the case, seeking leads to identify any suspects involved in this senseless act of violence.
