Jamel L Thomas, 18, was fatally shot on October 14, 2016, in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. He and another man, Jermale Richardson, were sitting in a car on the 300 block of North Central Avenue when a shooter approached and opened fire; both were struck multiple times. Jamel was taken to West Suburban Medical Center and later pronounced dead.

The motive for the attack is described as unclear and investigations were continuing. His death is cited as part of a larger surge in gun-related homicides in Chicago in 2016, a year that saw a dramatic rise in violence affecting many young men in neighborhoods such as Austin. If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information about who approached the car that night, please come forward.