Jonathan L. Williams was 17 when he was killed in Chicago on October 8, 2012. His death occurred during a year that saw a steep rise in homicides citywide; Chicago recorded more than 500 homicides in 2012, many involving young men and teenagers and concentrated in neighborhoods burdened by gang activity, poverty, and limited community resources.

The majority of homicides that year were gun-related, and the violence drove expanded police operations and community programs aimed at at-risk youths and rebuilding trust between law enforcement and residents. Jonathan’s killing is one of many tragic losses that underscored calls for interventions addressing the social and economic conditions tied to the violence.

Did anyone who knew Jonathan or was in his neighborhood around October 8, 2012, see or hear anything that could help explain what happened?