Eight-year-old Josiah Hooker, known to neighbors as JoJo, died March 20, 2025, after being shot inside a Grand Crossing home near 71st Place and Dorchester Avenue in Chicago. The shooting happened about 5:20 PM when a loaded 9-millimeter firearm that their father, 32-year-old Derrick Taylor, had placed behind a television on a low dresser was accessed by Josiah’s 5-year-old brother. Josiah suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head and was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The 5-year-old brother sustained a graze wound to his face and was taken to the same hospital and reported in good condition.

Three other young siblings, ages one month to three years, were in the home and witnessed the incident. Taylor was arrested and charged with child endangerment causing death and being a felon in possession of a weapon; court records show a residential burglary conviction in 2011 and previously dropped weapons charges from October 2022. At the detention hearing Judge Antara Rivera ordered Taylor to remain in custody pending trial; he was hospitalized for a mental health evaluation and had a next court appearance scheduled for Monday.

What did neighbors or anyone in the area see or hear that evening that could help clarify what happened?