Giovanni Lopez, 20, was killed in Chicago on January 23, 2017. His death occurred during a period when the city was experiencing a severe wave of gun violence, following a year in which Chicago recorded 762 homicides, a 58% increase from 2015.

The broader context described for that time notes that many young people were among the victims and that Chicago’s homicide totals then exceeded those of New York and Los Angeles combined. Research efforts, including work by the University of Chicago’s Crime Lab, were underway to understand root causes, but the reasons for the surge were described as elusive.

Anyone who knew Giovanni or has information about his death is asked to come forward.