William T Palmer

William T. Palmer, a man remembered by his family as a compassionate father and a source of strength and humor, was 32 years old when his life was cut short in Chicago, Illinois. Known to his loved ones as “Nook,” a childhood nickname, he was a father, uncle, cousin, and brother who was deeply involved in his family and his church. His family described him as a family-oriented man who loved his children dearly and was a mentor to young people in his congregation. He worked at the Lion & The Lamb Ministries on South Western Avenue, where his mother, Rosemary Palmer, served as the pastor. His cousin remembered him as the comic relief in difficult times, while his mother recalled his protective nature and his efforts to bring others into their prayer line.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 4, 2016, Palmer was in the West Englewood neighborhood on the city's South Side. He had attended a friend's birthday party and was asleep in the friend's parked car on his own block, the 6300 block of South Honore Street. At approximately 5:20 a.m., an unidentified man walked up to the vehicle and shot William Palmer once in the head. Chicago Police and paramedics responded, but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:58 a.m.

In the immediate aftermath, the Chicago Police Department described Palmer as a "documented gang member and convicted felon." This label was met with immediate and forceful opposition from his family, who felt it was a disrespectful and inaccurate stereotype based on his race and the neighborhood where he was killed. "It isn't true. He's been stereotyped," his sister, Shakela Gayden, stated. "He's a father and an active church member... He was someone to look up to." His mother called the label an offensive defamation of his character, questioning if he would have been seen as just a victim had he lived in a different community. While the family acknowledged that Palmer had served time in prison, they insisted he had changed his life.

The family’s grief was compounded by the police’s statement, which they feared would prevent a thorough investigation into his murder. "Calling William a gang member absolves the Chicago Police of finding the killers," his cousin Natalie Davis said. They felt their experience was indicative of a strained relationship between the police and the Black community. The Chicago Police Department declined to comment on the family's claims but stood by their initial statement. In the days following the shooting, police reported that no one was in custody.

In the year that followed, William's mother, Rosemary, recalled the horror of arriving at the crime scene and seeing the red tape that signified a death. "I dropped to my knees knowing it was my baby," she said. Determined to fight for accountability, his cousin Natalie Davis created a Facebook page called "Justice for William - Nook" to pursue justice through the legal system rather than street violence. The family’s goal was to bring hope back to their community. Rosemary Palmer began working to create a community group to unite neighbors against violence, providing a space for adults and children to learn to handle conflict without resorting to violence.

As of July 2017, just over a year after his death, William Palmer's murder remained unsolved, with no arrests having been made. His family continued to seek "proper justice," not only for him but for all victims of violence in Chicago. Their efforts to honor his memory were focused on creating positive change and preventing other families from experiencing the same devastating loss. The case remains an open and painful chapter for a family who remembers a kind-spirited, loving man taken from them far too soon.