Laron Powell, 42, was shot multiple times while sitting inside a vehicle in the 5200 block of West Kamerling Avenue in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side about 6:05 p.m. on June 15, 2022. He was taken to Humboldt Park Hospital and died there three days later on June 18, 2022. The Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled the death a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators say the shooting was targeted. Prosecutors charged Glenn Bland, 38, and Adrianna Vanzant, 18, with first-degree murder, alleging they used a subleased rental car to follow Powell to the location and open fire. Surveillance footage shows a rented Nissan SUV leaving the scene and tollway cameras tracked it toward the suburbs; cellphone data reportedly linked Bland and Vanzant to the crime scene. Nine 9mm shell casings and two 40-caliber casings were recovered, and additional casings matching those used in the shooting were found in the rented vehicle.

Bland has a prior history of violent offenses and was reportedly out on bail for an attempted murder charge when Powell was killed. Vanzant, who was a minor at the time, had no prior record and was described as receiving treatment for bipolar disorder. Both defendants were denied bail and are awaiting trial. If anyone has information about Powell or the events of June 15, 2022, please come forward.