Corey Strother Jr. was 15 when he was shot on December 22, 2015, around 9:30 p.m. in the 5900 block of South Princeton Avenue while trying to help his niece into the family home. A single shot struck him in the neck; no one else was injured. His sister reportedly pleaded with the gunman before the shot was fired. Authorities say Corey was not involved in gang activity.

Corey spent the next eight months in multiple medical facilities, including Stroger Hospital, a rehabilitation center, and Lurie Children’s Hospital. The gunshot wounded his spine and brain, leaving him unable to speak; his mother, Tiffany Strother, said he continued trying to communicate with his eyes. He remained enrolled at Dunbar Career Vocational High School and school staff visited him to read to him while hospitalized. He died on August 26, 2016, and the Cook County medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

A 23-year-old, Swonn Herron, was charged with attempted murder in January 2016; after Corey’s death the charge was upgraded to murder and Herron pleaded not guilty, with a court date set for September 9, 2016. If anyone knew Corey or saw activity near South Princeton Avenue that night, please come forward with information.