Fifteen-year-old Austin Rogers was killed in a drive-by shooting on June 15, 2019, in Chicago’s West Englewood neighborhood. He was a freshman at Simeon Career Academy and was walking home with friends around 8 p.m. when a black Nissan came out of an alley and occupants opened fire. Austin tried to run but was hit in the back by multiple bullets and later died at Comer Children’s Hospital; the Cook County medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from multiple gunshot wounds.

Family remembered Austin as a dedicated student and an aspiring basketball player who focused on school, the sport, and a summer job. His stepfather, Charles Smith, spoke about the constant danger in the neighborhood and called for community cooperation to prevent more tragedies. Area Central detectives investigated, and no arrests were made immediately after the shooting. During a family march in Austin’s honor, relatives reported seeing someone they suspected flash a pistol and grin, adding to their anguish.

Does anyone in West Englewood who knew Austin or who was nearby that night have information that could help the investigation?