Ronnie Roper, 28, was fatally shot on May 17, 2023, in a parking lot near the Chicago CRED outreach center in Roseland. Two individuals approached and shot Roper in the head at about 12:16 p.m.; police and paramedics found him and transported him to a hospital, where he died. Roper had been a Chicago CRED participant for nine months, working toward his high school diploma, helping recruit younger people from Roseland into the program, and looking forward to an upcoming trip to New York.

His death was the second loss of a violence prevention worker in Chicago within a week, following the killing of Mark Johnson of TASC. Chicago CRED, founded by Arne Duncan, offers therapy, job placement and other services aimed at reducing gun violence; Duncan expressed condolences and called for continued efforts to make the city safer. No arrests or charges have been announced and the investigation remains ongoing.

If anyone knew Ronnie, saw activity in the Roseland outreach center parking lot on May 17, 2023, or has information about the shooting, please come forward.