Shafon L. Hayes, a 39-year-old man from Zion, Illinois, was found dead inside a residence in the 2300 block of Gideon Avenue at approximately 11:17 p.m. on January 11, 2017. The Lake County Coroner, Howard Cooper, determined Hayes died from complications related to a gunshot wound and ruled the death a homicide. The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, the Lake County Coroner’s Office, and the Zion Police Department investigated, but the circumstances of the shooting remain unclear and authorities have not released information about arrests or named suspects.

Hayes was born October 23, 1977, in San Jose, California. He was survived by his mother, Regina Meeks; his father, Larry Hayes; a sister, Starla Hayes; his fiancée, Christina Davidson; and a son, Shafon L. Hayes, Jr., whose mother is Davanesha Atkins. A Celebration of Life Service was held January 19, 2017, at Jesus Name Apostolic Church in Waukegan.

Anyone with information about what happened on Gideon Avenue the night Hayes was killed is asked to come forward.