Crime
17-year-old DeJohn Garrett killed after shooting on 80th Street and Colfax Avenue in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood
Chicago police are investigating the fatal shooting of 17-year-old DeJohn Garrett, a local teen rapper known by his stage name “FatDrench”, whose body was discovered early Wednesday morning.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Garrett’s identity after he was found dead in an alley near the intersection of 80th Street and Colfax Avenue in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood.
Around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, officers responded to a report of a person shot. Upon arrival, they found Garrett with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the shooting likely occurred approximately two hours before Garrett’s body was found. A passerby reportedly discovered him in the alley and called 911 to report the grim discovery.
Earlier in the evening, 911 calls had been made regarding gunfire near 79th Street and Yates Boulevard, a location monitored by the city’s now-deactivated ShotSpotter system.
At this time, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) has not released additional details about potential suspects or motives. Detectives from Area 2 are leading the investigation.
This marks the 20th shooting death reported in Chicago since the decision by city officials, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, to discontinue the use of ShotSpotter technology as a cost-saving measure. The controversial decision has drawn criticism from some community members, who argue the system could have aided in reducing violent crime or alerting authorities sooner.
CPD is urging anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously via CPDTIP.COM, or by contacting the 4th District Police Station at (312) 747-8205.
The death of Garrett, an aspiring rapper, has sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, with friends and fans mourning his untimely passing and sharing condolences for his family. This tragedy underscores the ongoing challenges of gun violence impacting Chicago’s youth and communities.
Crime
17-Year-Old Wyatt Sanders Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting of 16-Year-Old Miranda Clements in Vivian
Caddo Parish authorities are continuing their investigation into a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl in Vivian, Louisiana, on the evening of Sunday, April 20.
According to officials, officers with the Vivian Police Department responded to reports of a shooting just before 8:30 p.m. at a residence in the 33 block of Pardue Street.
Upon arrival, officers located 16-year-old Miranda Clements lying on the floor inside the home with a gunshot wound to her upper body.
Emergency personnel with Caddo Fire District 8 responded and pronounced the teenager deceased at the scene.
Following the initial response, Vivian police contacted the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office for assistance.
Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office launched a joint investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities initially stated they were working to establish whether foul play was involved.
As part of the investigation, 17-year-old Wyatt Layne Sanders was taken into custody in connection with the incident.
He was booked into the Caddo Parish Correctional Center at 3:07 a.m. on Monday, April 21. According to jail records, Sanders is facing two counts of illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile and one count of negligent homicide.
He remains in custody as of the latest report.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Further details, including the events leading up to the shooting, have not yet been released.