Crime
26-year-old Erykah Tate killed after shooting in Fairfield neighborhood
No arrests have been made as of this time.
Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman late Monday afternoon in a Fairfield neighborhood.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 26-year-old Erykah Nameke Tate, a Fairfield resident.
Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a person shot at approximately 4:50 p.m. in the 400 block of Forest Drive, located in the Forest Hills community.
Upon arrival, emergency responders from Fairfield Fire and Rescue pronounced Tate deceased at the scene by 4:56 p.m.. It remains unclear whether the shooting occurred inside a residence or outside.
Authorities have not yet disclosed any details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators remained on-site for several hours following the incident, combing the area for evidence.
No arrests have been made as of this time.
Tate’s death marks the second homicide investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office since Saturday, following the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old in the Center Point area over the weekend.
This incident contributes to the 185 homicides reported in Jefferson County this year, underscoring a troubling trend of violence in the area.
Law enforcement is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Tips can be provided anonymously.
The investigation remains active, and updates will be provided as they become available.
Crime
15-year-old Kenwon Van Pelt found shot dead inside home at Englewood neighborhood
No suspects are in custody at this time, and the investigation remains active.
CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2024 – A tragic incident unfolded today as 15-year-old Kenwon Van Pelt, affectionately known as “Lil Kso” by his family and friends, was fatally shot inside his home.
The Chicago Police Department (CPD) received a call reporting a person shot around 11:35 a.m. at the intersection of Marquette and Parnell.
Officers arrived to find Kenwon in his bedroom, seated in a chair, with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
While CPD has not disclosed further details about the case, investigators are searching for a group of teens who were reportedly inside the home with Kenwon at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses suggest the group fled the scene, leaving the doors open. Evidence collected from the scene includes a single shell casing in the bedroom, a live round discovered in the nearby alley, and a cellphone found close to the residence.
No suspects are in custody at this time, and the investigation remains active.
CPD Area 1 Detectives are urging anyone with information about this case to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted at CPDTIP.com, or individuals can contact the 7th District police station directly at (312) 747-8220.
This tragic loss marks the second fatal shooting of a teenager within 12 hours in Chicago, following a separate mass shooting.
This devastating pattern of gun violence continues to claim young lives and leave communities in mourning. As bloodshed escalates, families and neighborhoods are being torn apart.
“We must address this crisis head-on,” community leaders and advocates have reiterated. “If we, as parents and members of the community, don’t step up, we will continue to lose our children to the senseless violence that plagues our streets.”
The loss of Kenwon Van Pelt underscores the urgent need for collective action to protect Chicago’s youth and end the cycle of violence.