On June 16, 2016, 25-year-old Denzel D. Thornton was fatally shot outside Ronald McNair Elementary School in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. As Thornton was entering his parked vehicle in the 4800 block of West Walton Street at about 12:30 p.m., an assailant approached on foot and shot him in the head. The shooter fled in a black sedan and Thornton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thornton had worked for Chicago Public Schools for ten months as a compliance specialist in the Nutrition Services department and was conducting routine rounds at McNair Elementary when he was killed. Authorities reported he had no criminal history or known gang affiliations. The school was placed on lockdown until dismissal at 2:30 p.m.; an eighth-grade graduation scheduled that afternoon proceeded as planned.

No arrests have been announced and the Chicago Police Department is continuing its investigation, seeking information to identify and apprehend the offender. If anyone saw activity around the 4800 block of West Walton Street around lunchtime on June 16, 2016, please come forward with what was observed.