Jason R. Jernigan, 27, was found dead on November 2, 2013, in a vacant lot in the 3300 block of West Van Buren Street in East Garfield Park, having been shot in the chest and abdomen. The case stalled at first, then a December 2014 witness implicated a suspect who reportedly admitted the killing as a retaliatory strike; that lead later produced charges against the suspect.

Jernigan’s death came in a neighborhood struggling with significant, often gang-related, violence and fed into Chicago’s high homicide total for 2013. The investigation and later charging illustrate the difficulties of solving killings in areas affected by gang activity and retaliation.

If anyone knew Jason, saw activity around West Van Buren Street that day, or has information that could help, please share what is known with investigators.