Faizon Smith

Faizon Smith, an 18-year-old African-American man remembered by loved ones as sweet and funny, was just beginning his adult life. Friends and family affectionately called him by nicknames like "Faygo" and "FaiGlo." He had attended Marconi Elementary Community Academy in his West Side Chicago neighborhood. Those who knew him recalled his loving nature and considered him a big brother figure, a young man whose presence is deeply missed.

On the evening of Friday, October 14, 2016, Faizon’s life was cut short by a sudden act of violence. At approximately 6:49 p.m., he was in a gangway of a building in the 4500 block of West Maypole Avenue in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood. According to Chicago Police, someone inside a dark-colored sedan driving down the alley opened fire. Faizon was struck in the chest. Authorities were called to the scene, and he was pronounced dead at 7:26 p.m. The Cook County medical examiner’s office later ruled his death a homicide.

Faizon lived just a few blocks away, in the 4400 block of West Washington Boulevard. The shooting that killed him was part of a weekend marked by extreme violence across Chicago. From that Friday evening through the following Monday morning, at least eight people were killed and another 40 were wounded in shootings throughout the city. The year 2016 was a particularly violent one for Chicago, with homicides surging to levels not seen in two decades, ultimately exceeding 750 by the year's end.

The investigation into Faizon Smith's murder was handled by the Chicago Police Department. In the immediate aftermath, police reported that the shooter or shooters fled the scene in the sedan after the attack. No one was immediately taken into custody, and authorities did not release a detailed description of any suspects or the vehicle involved. The case quickly went cold, with few public updates in the years that have followed.

As of the most recent reports, no arrests have been made in connection with Faizon Smith’s killing, and his case remains unsolved. The drive-by shooting that ended his life left his family and friends with unanswered questions and a grief that endures. His death is a stark reminder of the many young lives lost to gun violence in Chicago.

The community of West Garfield Park, located on the West Side of Chicago, has long contended with high rates of crime and violence. The neighborhood has struggled with systemic issues that contribute to these challenges. For families like Faizon's, the lack of resolution in his case compounds their tragedy, leaving them without justice or closure. There is no information publicly available about any rewards offered for information leading to an arrest in this case. The investigation remains open, and police continue to seek information from the public.