2 killed, 1 injured in East Garfield Park shooting

ByJade Hernandez WLS logo
Sunday, July 26, 2015
2 killed, 1 injured in East Garfield Park shooting
Police say two people were killed and another was injured after a shooting in the East Garfield Park neighborhood early Sunday morning.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two people were killed and third injured in a shooting on the city's West Side early Sunday morning, and some people in the neighborhood are angry the vehicle was hauled away with the bodies inside.

Detectives continue to search for the gunman they say is responsible for slaying 35-year-old Kenneth Wallace and 32-year-old Darron Thomas, and leaving a woman injured.

Family and friends said they believe the men were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Balloons and candles are among the symbols of sorrow at a vigil to remember Wallace, one of two people killed after gunfire erupted in Chicago's East Garfield Park neighborhood.

The attack happened around 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 500-block of North Avers as Wallace and another person got a ride home from a party with a friend.

"He basically was trying to get home, that's what it was, probably wrong place at the wrong time," said Sadie Willis, the victim's friend.

Police say it was as the trio traveled south on Avers that someone opened fire from the sidewalk on their dark colored car, causing it to crash into a fence and then a garage.

While the sedan's backseat passenger, a 26-year-old woman was shot in the ankle, Thomas, the driver, and Wallace, the front seat passenger, were both shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene.

Concerned relatives say their grief turned to anger over how police removed the victims' remains from the crime scene. A video posted on Facebook shows them clashing with police.

"I'm following behind the police. They got an escort and my nephew just hanging out the car," said Fred Wallace, the victim's uncle.

Officials are looking into whether proper procedures were followed.

"CPD is sensitive to the handling of bodies in public, and detective bureau has implemented procedures to minimize any community concerns that may arise from the manner in which crime scenes are processed," the Chicago Police Department said in a statement Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Wallace is being remembered as a living father to his 12-year-old daughter. Nicknamed Twin because he has a twin brother, friends say Wallace was a man who was finally getting his life in track.

"He's a responsible man, just trying to get himself back together," said Tonya Brown. "I think he recently got a job, so it's definitely sad and tragic."

Chicago police are investigating the shooting and have not yet made any arrests.