Tyree Rials, a 24-year-old African American man from South Holland, Illinois, was shot and killed at Slapshots Bar, 14608 S. Cicero Avenue in Midlothian, on February 20, 2021. A Midlothian patrol officer nearby heard gunshots and screaming; on arrival the officer found a large crowd and vehicles trying to leave. Rials was found on the ground with a gunshot wound to his head and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Midlothian Fire Department.

Midlothian detectives, assisted by the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, investigated the shooting. Cook County Sheriff’s records show 25-year-old Joseph Washington of Markham was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and held on $2 million bail. Patrol officers and units from neighboring communities assisted with scene control. In response, Midlothian increased patrols at local bars, and officials reported arrests, citations, and steps to suspend or revoke business licenses to address safety concerns.

If anyone was at Slapshots that night or has information about the shooting, please come forward to help the investigation.