Gabriel Stevens

Gabriel Stevens, a 39-year-old African-American U.S. Army veteran and father, was a peaceful man who loved going to church and was known for performing odd jobs around his Dolton, Illinois, neighborhood. His family remembered him as a loving person who was especially fond of his elders. After graduating from high school, Gabriel served for five years in the Army and also spent time in the National Guard. He was a regular and well-liked customer at a store near 79th and Damen in Chicago, where the manager described him as someone who never bothered anyone. He left behind an 18-year-old son and loving parents who never imagined they would receive such a devastating call about their child.

On the evening of Monday, August 4, 2014, Gabriel was riding his bicycle in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood. At approximately 9 p.m., just minutes after he was reportedly involved in a minor altercation outside the store he frequented, a red car pulled up alongside him in the 7600 block of South Hoyne Avenue. Someone inside the vehicle opened fire at point-blank range. Gabriel was struck multiple times, with gunshot wounds to his chest and arm. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His mother, Vivian Ivory, later expressed her anguish, saying, "I saw my son lying in the street like a dog."

The Chicago Police Department launched a homicide investigation into Gabriel's death. Detectives learned that a red vehicle was involved and that the shots were fired after it pulled up next to him. Despite the public nature of the attack, the assailant or assailants managed to flee the scene immediately after the shooting. The incident was one of several violent acts that occurred in Chicago that day, which saw a total of three people killed and multiple others wounded across the city.

In the days following the murder, Gabriel's family pleaded for answers and for an end to the city's relentless gun violence. "Something has to change with this city," his sister-in-law, Sharon Stevens, told reporters. "I don't know what the mayor's response is going to be or the police superintendent what they are going to do but they have to do something so that we can save our children." His mother, Vivian, shared the shock and disbelief of losing her son so violently. "When you hear it on TV, you feel sorry for the person and you pray for them, but in a million years I never thought I'd get a call like that," she said.

The community rallied in an effort to find those responsible for Gabriel's death. On Friday, August 8, 2014, community activist Andrew Holmes joined others in the 7600 block of South Hoyne to pass out flyers, asking the public for help in identifying the gunman. The flyers served as a public appeal for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward and assist the police in their investigation.

As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made in the killing of Gabriel Stevens, and his case remains unsolved. His family continues to hope for justice and for the day his killers are held accountable. The investigation by the Chicago Police Department is ongoing.