Sylvester A Gardner

Sylvester A. Gardner, a 28-year-old Black man known to friends as “Sly,” was a son of Chicago’s South Side. He grew up in the area, having attended Ruggles Elementary School, and as an adult, he lived in the Chatham neighborhood on the 7900 block of South Wabash. Those who knew him remembered him as a "wonderful guy" and a familiar presence in the rhythms of his community—a neighborhood of block-by-block life, local shops, and daily routines. His life was woven into the fabric of his South Side community, where he was known and valued.

On the evening of Tuesday, January 17, 2017, that life was cut tragically short. At approximately 8:30 p.m., Sylvester was inside a Subway restaurant in the first block of West 79th Street in Chatham. Suddenly, a gunman walked into the sandwich shop, opened fire, and then quickly fled the scene. The attack was swift and brutal. Sylvester was struck by multiple bullets. Two other people inside the restaurant were also caught in the gunfire.

When Chicago Police officers and paramedics arrived, they found a chaotic scene. Sylvester was pronounced dead at the scene from his multiple gunshot wounds, his life taken in a place of public commerce. A second victim, a 21-year-old man, had been shot in the arm and leg. He was rushed to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. The third victim, a 17-year-old girl, suffered gunshot wounds to her head and back. She was also transported to the hospital, where her condition was stabilized.

The Chicago Police Department launched a homicide investigation into the violent attack. Detectives processed the scene at the Subway restaurant, searching for evidence and seeking witnesses who could provide a description of the shooter or the direction in which he fled. In the immediate aftermath, authorities reported that no one was in custody for the shooting.

Sylvester’s death was part of a wave of intense gun violence that gripped Chicago at the beginning of 2017. The month of January saw dozens of homicides across the city, continuing a troubling trend of violence from the previous year. His killing was a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities like Chatham, which were disproportionately affected by shootings and the ongoing struggles to contain them.

Despite the initial investigation, there have been no public updates on the search for Sylvester Gardner’s killer. No suspects have been named, no arrests have been made, and the case has grown cold in the years since the shooting. For his family, friends, and community, there has been no justice and no answers as to why he was targeted. The case remains an open and unsolved homicide with the Chicago Police Department. As of today, the person responsible for ending Sylvester Gardner's life and wounding two others has not been held accountable.