Shaquita Denise Bennett, a 31-year-old African American woman, was shot to death on April 5, 2018, in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago. The killing occurred about 10:15 a.m. in the hallway outside her apartment in the 6900 block of South Clyde; Bennett was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head.

The primary suspect was her ex-boyfriend, Deshawn Johnson, who was 34 at the time of his arrest. Johnson had a documented history of abusive behavior toward Bennett — stalking, harassment and threats — and Bennett had filed multiple protective orders beginning in August 2013. In December 2017 Johnson left a voicemail threatening to blow her brains out; he was arrested, held on $10,000 bail that was later reduced to $5,000 and released. While out on bond he continued to violate the order of protection. After the April 5 killing Johnson was arrested and charged and held without bail in Cook County Jail with a court date set for April 14, 2018.

Bennett’s mother, Veardena Pryor, filed a lawsuit alleging that police officers and emergency dispatchers failed to respond to her daughter’s repeated pleas for protection. The case raises questions about why prior protective measures did not prevent this homicide.

Did anyone in South Shore know Shaquita or have information about repeated violations of her protective orders?