Sylvester Rainge, 52, was fatally shot on December 6, 2016, in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. His killing came during 2016’s sharp rise in homicides citywide, a year that saw over 760 homicides and heavy reliance on firearms in most cases. North Lawndale was singled out as particularly hard hit, facing economic hardship and a longstanding problem with gang-related violence.

Rainge’s death is presented as part of broader, systemic issues in Chicago: increased gang activity, easy access to guns, strained police-community relations, and persistent disinvestment that left some neighborhoods with fewer social supports. Community leaders had been pursuing programs to address unemployment and lack of educational opportunities, but 2016 represented a major setback.

If anyone knew Sylvester Rainge or has information about his shooting, please share what you can.