Deandre Montez Atkinson was 17 when he was shot and killed on September 25, 2014, in Springfield, Illinois. He was walking out of the Victoria Village Apartment complex with friends when a group identified as gang members confronted them; Deandre was not involved in gang activity but was struck in the crossfire.

The initial investigation was hampered after people with Deandre gave false information to police because of their own legal problems, which misled investigators. The Springfield Police Department reopened the case in 2016 and treated the killing as gang-related. Crime Stoppers offered a $5000 reward for information leading to an arrest, but no suspects have been apprehended and the investigation remains open.

Family and friends remember Deandre as friendly, joyful and dedicated to his family and education; his stepfather, Montez Coleman, said Deandre was close to graduating and had a bright future ahead. If anyone has information about the shooting or the people involved, please come forward to the Springfield Police Department.