Joseph J. Henderson, known to his loved ones as “JoJo,” was a 25-year-old man who brought joy to those around him. A resident of Chicago, Illinois, Joseph was a beloved family member and a dedicated employee at an Au Bon Pain restaurant. His family remembers him as a source of happiness and continues to honor his memory.
On the evening of Monday, June 19, 2017, Joseph was in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the city’s West Side. At approximately 8:40 p.m., he was walking in the 1200 block of South Avers Avenue when a vehicle, described as a gray four-door car, pulled up alongside him. Someone inside the car opened fire, striking Joseph multiple times in the chest and back. The vehicle then sped away from the scene.
Paramedics rushed Joseph to Mount Sinai Hospital, but his injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 9:11 p.m. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that he died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide. At the time of the shooting, Joseph lived in the West Side’s Austin neighborhood.
The Chicago Police Department launched an investigation into the fatal shooting. Detectives canvassed the area for evidence, witnesses, and potential surveillance footage that might have captured the gray sedan or the moments leading up to the attack. The shooting occurred in a residential area, a block that, like many in Chicago, has contended with the persistent issue of gun violence. North Lawndale, in particular, has historically been one of the communities most affected by high rates of violent crime in the city.
In the days and years following Joseph's death, his family has kept his memory alive through memorial tributes and by sharing their grief with the community. They have sought answers and justice, but the case has remained unsolved. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or a motive in the killing. The shooting that ended Joseph's life was one of several homicides that occurred in Chicago that week, reflecting a pattern of violence that continues to challenge the city and its residents.
As of the latest available information, the investigation into the murder of Joseph J. Henderson remains open and active. His death is a painful reminder of the human cost of gun violence that has left a permanent void in the lives of his family and friends. They continue to hope that someone will come forward with information that could lead to an arrest and bring a measure of closure.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Chicago Police Department. Tips can often be submitted anonymously and may be crucial to solving the case and delivering justice for Joseph and his grieving family.
