Denzel Thornton, a 25-year-old employee of Chicago Public Schools Nutrition Services, was fatally shot on June 16, 2016, outside McNair Elementary School in the South Austin neighborhood. He was shot in the head around 12:30 p.m. as he was getting into his parked car. The shooter fled in a black sedan, and Thornton was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Authorities said the shooting had no connection to McNair Elementary or its students; the school went into lockdown and grief counselors were brought in for students and staff. Colleagues remembered Thornton as hardworking and dedicated to serving CPS children. Investigators reported that Thornton had no known gang affiliations or criminal history and that a motive remained unclear.

If anyone knew Thornton, saw activity near McNair Elementary around midday on June 16, 2016, or has information about a black sedan fleeing the scene, please share what is known.