Cordell L. Avant, a 38-year-old man from Chicago’s Far South Side, was shot and killed after an argument inside a gray SUV in the 11000 block of South Ashland Avenue in Morgan Park shortly after 1:15 a.m. on May 27, 2025. He was struck multiple times, taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, and pronounced dead there the same day.

Area 2 detectives opened an investigation and identified a suspect within hours. Chicago police say 33-year-old Thomas Phelps was taken into custody on May 27 at 3:10 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Peoria Street. Authorities allege Phelps fired multiple shots from the gray SUV during the dispute and then fled, leaving Avant mortally wounded. Two days later Phelps was charged with first-degree murder and several drug offenses.

Who knew Cordell Avant or was in Morgan Park that night and can help fill in what happened in the minutes before the shooting?