On the night of May 8, 2013, 17-year-old Dylan Cheek was walking alone in the 1400 block of South Avenue in Syracuse at about 10:15 p.m. when a dark-colored car approached and multiple gunshots were fired from the vehicle, striking him. He was taken to Upstate University Hospital and died of his injuries.

Dylan had recently become a father to a two-year-old daughter, had earned his GED, and hoped to attend college. Two days before the shooting he had been released from jail on charges that included burglary, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with a stabbing; release followed when a witness failed to appear. Syracuse police investigated whether his recent legal troubles were connected to the killing but did not publicly confirm any link.

Police said the slaying appeared to be targeted. Years later the case remains unsolved: no suspects have been publicly identified, no arrests have been announced, and the identities of the occupants of the dark-colored car are unknown. If anyone knew Dylan or has information about that night, contact the Syracuse Police Department.