Matthew Harlan, a 51-year-old African American man, was shot and killed on March 7, 2021, in the Avalon Park neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. The shooting happened about 7:25 p.m. while Harlan was inside a vehicle in the 1600 block of East 83rd Street. He heard gunshots, felt a sudden pain, and later realized he had been shot in the head. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The Chicago Police Department opened a homicide investigation but made no immediate arrests. In the months that followed, there were no reported significant developments in arrests or named suspects and the case remained open. Investigators considered potential suspects and motives and noted Harlan had a prior 2015 legal claim alleging excessive force and false arrest by police; detectives reviewed whether his past encounters with law enforcement could be relevant. Witnesses and concrete evidence were limited, and community members voiced concern about ongoing violence in the area.

Does anyone who lived in Avalon Park or was in the 1600 block of East 83rd Street that evening have information that could help investigators?