Sylvester A. Gardner was 28 when he was fatally shot in Chicago on January 17, 2017. His death came during a month that saw 53 homicides in the city, a continuation of the previous year’s high levels of violence.

Many of the shootings that month, including his, were linked in reporting to easy access to firearms and ongoing rivalries; the Chicago Police Department struggled with a low homicide clearance rate during this period.

Gardner’s death is presented as part of the broader pattern of January 2017 violence in Chicago. Anyone who knew Gardner or has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.