Johnell Johnson, a 37-year-old African American man and member of the Black Gangsters, was found shot in the face and dead in the street in Chicago on August 23, 2016. Police described his killing as a gang-related attack and opened an investigation amid a wider spike in gun violence on the city’s West Side.

Investigators said the case was hampered by a scarcity of witnesses willing to speak, with fear of retaliation cited as a barrier to solving the crime. Despite those challenges, the Chicago Police Department pursued leads and gathered evidence that led to arrests; several suspects were charged with first-degree murder and related offenses as the matter moved into court.

The killing of Johnell Johnson drew attention to the toll of gang violence on neighborhoods and the difficulties prosecutors face when witnesses won’t come forward. If anyone knew Johnell or has information about the shooting, please contact the Chicago Police Department.