Romaine May, 28, was fatally shot in Chicago on May 18, 2016. His death came during a year that saw an alarming rise in killings across the city, which recorded 764 homicides in 2016.

That year’s surge in gun violence was concentrated on the South and West Sides and disproportionately affected Black and Hispanic residents—95% of the city’s homicide victims in 2016 were from those communities. The spike was described as linked to heightened tensions, gang conflicts, and socio-economic pressures in many neighborhoods, with areas such as Englewood and West Garfield Park noted as epicenters of violence while other parts of the city remained less affected. Low arrest rates for violent crime were also cited as complicating efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.

Romaine May’s killing is presented as part of this broader crisis of violence and its root causes, including poverty, lack of opportunities, and gang presence. If anyone knew Romaine or has information about his shooting, please come forward to assist investigations.