Simon Brown, a 59-year-old father, was fatally shot on February 26, 2024, in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. The shooting happened about 5:45 p.m. near 71st and State streets as Brown was on his way to buy a lottery ticket for his wife. He was an innocent bystander caught in crossfire after a verbal argument between two armed suspects escalated into a shootout on the sidewalk outside several businesses.

When police arrived they found Brown with gunshot wounds to the stomach and left hand; he was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and pronounced dead shortly afterward. Two other people were wounded: a 49-year-old man shot in the head at an ATM and a 50-year-old man shot in the leg, the latter reported in good condition. Officers located and arrested a 54-year-old man near 71st and Wabash Avenue; he had gunshot wounds to his leg and hand, was treated at Advocate Christ Medical Center, and a gun was recovered. The second alleged shooter remains at large; detectives are reviewing nearby security camera footage.

Community leaders including Alderman William Hall and Pastor John T. Boston have called for action and planned meetings to address the recent surge in violence. Did anyone in the area that evening see the second shooter or have footage that could help investigators?