Twelve-year-old Nazia Banks, a young African American boy, was tragically shot and killed on May 19, 2012, in Chicago’s South Side. The incident occurred in the 8000 block of South Brandon Avenue as Nazia was walking home. According to reports, two unknown suspects emerged from a gangway and opened fire, striking Nazia in the head. He died at the scene. The shooting sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, as residents mourned the loss of a child known for his love of basketball and his ever-present smile. Community members gathered outside his home, leaving stuffed animals and heartfelt messages in his memory.
More than a year after the murder, authorities charged 21-year-old Denzel Garbutt in connection with the crime. Prosecutors stated that Garbutt admitted to acting as a lookout for two gang members who were targeting a rival that day. He was charged with first-degree murder, felony possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor counts of possessing cannabis and having a firearm without a valid FOID card. During a court hearing, Judge Israel Desierto ordered Garbutt to be held on a $1 million bond. His next court appearance was scheduled for January 7 of the following year.
Despite the arrest, questions remained about the identities of the two gunmen who carried out the shooting. Authorities continued their investigation, but at the time of Garbutt’s arrest, no additional suspects had been taken into custody. The tragic loss of Nazia Banks, a 12-year-old African American boy, left a lasting impact on his community, as neighbors struggled to understand why such violence had claimed the life of an innocent child.
