On March 22, 2015, 21-year-old African American male Dushanti Hassell was fatally shot in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. in an alley located in the 2200 block of West Winnemac Avenue. Witnesses reported seeing Dushanti Hassell in the alley with several other individuals when gunshots were heard. A red SUV was observed leaving the scene shortly after the shooting.
Dushanti Hassell, who resided on the 5700 block of North Kenmore Avenue, sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:33 p.m.
The investigation led to the arrest of 21-year-old Amin H. Smith, an African American male from the 7800 block of South Greenwood Avenue. According to prosecutors, earlier that day, Amin H. Smith arranged to meet Dushanti Hassell at a Dunkin' Donuts located in the 6200 block of South Western Avenue. Smith's mother drove him to the location, while a friend followed in a separate vehicle. Smith and Dushanti Hassell then entered the friend's car, and at Smith's direction, they proceeded to the alley on Winnemac Avenue.
Upon arrival, the friend exited the vehicle, leaving Amin H. Smith and Dushanti Hassell to walk toward a nearby garage. The friend reported hearing a fight and observed the two men wrestling over a gun. He then saw Dushanti Hassell on the ground, unarmed and pleading, "please, please," as Amin H. Smith pointed a gun at his head. A single gunshot was heard, after which Smith returned to the car, using a towel to wipe down himself and the weapon.
Following the shooting, Amin H. Smith used the friend's phone to call his mother, arranging for her to pick him up at a gas station near Lawrence and Ashland. Authorities later recovered the cellphones of both the victim and the defendant in the alley. Additionally, another witness provided police with the license plate number of the vehicle seen leaving the scene.
Amin H. Smith was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 21-year-old African American male Dushanti Hassell. He was ordered held without bail during a hearing before Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. Smith's next court appearance was scheduled for April 15.
