Demarcus Boswell, an 18-year-old African American male, was shot and killed on June 19, 2014, in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on the Southwest Side of Chicago. The shooting occurred around 4:50 p.m. while Boswell was walking on the sidewalk with a group in the 2800 block of West 71st Street. James Jones, also 18, approached and fired multiple shots from about four to six feet, striking Boswell in the face and torso. Boswell was taken to Holy Cross Hospital and pronounced dead at 5:37 p.m.; the Cook County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death multiple gunshot wounds.

Jones was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors said he fired at least six times, hitting Boswell three times and that Boswell was unarmed. At trial the state introduced a videotaped statement in which Jones admitted to the shooting and acknowledged that he had murdered somebody. A jury found Jones guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm, and the court imposed an aggregate sentence of 38 years. An appeal challenging the sentence was later rejected by the appellate court.

This case underscores the human cost of gun violence experienced by young people and their families in the community. If anyone knew Demarcus, was present that afternoon, or has information relevant to the events on West 71st Street, please come forward.