Carlito Rainey was 16 when he was shot and killed on April 6, 2021, in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. The shooting occurred at about 9 p.m. while he was standing in the front yard of a home on the 3100 block of West Douglas Boulevard. A vehicle pulled up and someone inside opened fire; Carlito was struck four times, including two bullets to the head, and was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to the investigation, an earlier confrontation began when a 12-year-old passed by Carlito’s family porch and made a gang-related remark. After Carlito told the boy to leave, the boy returned with about ten others and a fight broke out; the 12-year-old was reportedly struck with a stick. The 12-year-old later told 24-year-old Johnny Martin Jr. that he had been beaten with a baseball bat. Investigators say Martin drove to Carlito’s house with the 12-year-old, then fired on the porch.

Johnny Martin Jr. was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon; police say he was found in possession of a 9-millimeter handgun with an extended magazine and laser sight at arrest. Carlito’s family continues to seek justice. Does anyone have information about that April 6 evening or the people involved that could help the investigation?