Darnell Hardeman

Darnell Eugene Hardeman was a dedicated mentor and a beloved family man who was building a career in healthcare when his life was abruptly taken. Born in Chicago on May 25, 1978, to Carol and Rudy Hardeman, Darnell was known for his love of music, basketball, and above all, spending time with his family. He was a graduate of Hyde Park Academy and went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration from Robert Morris College after attending Western Illinois University. In early 2016, he also received his Sterile Processing Certification, furthering his professional goals. A man of faith, Darnell had been baptized at a young age at Avalon Park Church.

His greatest passion was working with children. Through the Boys and Girls Club of America, Darnell worked at Wendell Green Elementary School, where he was a devoted mentor. He dedicated his own time to his students, playing basketball and football with them and attending their after-school sports programs to show his support. His family recalled his special joy in teaching and playing with his younger cousins, whom he treated like his own children. He would playfully hold his hand up high for a high-five when they answered a question correctly, making them stretch to reach and delighting in their success.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 4, 2016, Darnell Hardeman, a 38-year-old African-American man, was on a sidewalk in the Longwood Manor neighborhood, part of the larger Washington Heights community on Chicago's South Side. At approximately 3:15 a.m., in the 900 block of West 96th Street, he was approached by two unknown males. According to witnesses who spoke with the Chicago Police Department, the two individuals opened fire, shooting Darnell multiple times in the head and body.

Police and paramedics responded to the scene, but Darnell’s injuries were catastrophic. He was pronounced dead on the sidewalk at 3:18 a.m. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office later conducted an autopsy and confirmed that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, ruling the case a homicide. Darnell, who lived nearby on the 9600 block of South Halsted Street, became one of several victims in a weekend marked by a spike in gun violence across the city.

The investigation into Darnell Hardeman's murder was handled by the Chicago Police Department. In the immediate aftermath, authorities gathered information from witnesses who described the two assailants, but no detailed descriptions were publicly released. The shooting happened quickly, and the perpetrators fled the scene immediately after. In the years since the murder, there have been no public announcements regarding persons of interest, suspects, or arrests in the case.

Darnell was preceded in death by his father, Rudy, and was survived by his loving mother, Carol Hardeman-Miller, his step-father, Daryl Miller, his grandmother, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. His family mourned the loss of a man who was dedicated to his community and whose most treasured pleasure was helping the students he mentored.

The case of Darnell Hardeman's murder remains unsolved. No motive for the shooting has ever been established, and the two individuals who took his life have never been brought to justice. As of this writing, the investigation is inactive, awaiting any new information that might lead to a breakthrough. There is no reward being offered, but authorities urge anyone with knowledge of the crime to come forward.