On January 21, 2024, four members of the Kassem family were shot to death inside their Tinley Park home in the 7400 block of West 173rd Street. Victims were identified as Majeda Kassem, 53, and her daughters Halema Kassem, 25, Hanan Kassem, 24, and Zahia Kassem, 25. Police say the shooter called 911 and reported his wife had been shot; officers found the four women with apparent gunshot wounds and took the father and husband, 63-year-old Maher Kassem, into custody at the scene.

Authorities reported the shooting followed a verbal argument, after which Maher Kassem allegedly pulled a gun and fired multiple times. The weapon was recovered, the scene was secured, and police said there was no ongoing threat to the public; a son who was in the house was unharmed. Maher Kassem was charged with four counts of first-degree murder on January 23, 2024.

Halema Kassem, one of the twin daughters, was a standout pharmacy student at Chicago State University nearing graduation and also practiced henna artistry. Community members described the family as devout, close-knit, and high-achieving. An online fundraiser has been started to honor the women by building a mosque in Africa.

If anyone knew Halema or the family or has information about that night, please share what is known.