William Howard was 24 when he was found with multiple gunshot wounds in an alley on Chicago’s South Side on December 12, 2020. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene after an apparent late-night, targeted shooting. Surveillance footage reportedly captured a suspect approaching and opening fire before fleeing, and police appealed to the public for help.

Several suspects were questioned in the months after the killing, and the case stayed open as detectives followed leads. By mid-2021 a 26-year-old Marcus Thompson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and related offenses; his trial began in early 2022. Prosecutors relied on eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence; the jury found Thompson guilty and he was sentenced to life without parole. William’s family called for stronger measures to address gun violence while remembering their son and brother.

If anyone has information about William or the events of that night, please share it with the Chicago Police Department.