2021 Chicago–Evanston shootings explained

On January 9, 2021, 32-year-old Jason Nightengale shot and killed five people during a shooting spree that began on Chicago's South Side and ended in Evanston before being fatally shot by police.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Events

Chicago shootings

Sometime before 1:50 PM, Nightengale fatally shot 30-year-old Yiran Fan as he sat in his vehicle in a Hyde Park parking garage.^[4] Shortly afterwards, Nightengale entered an apartment building at 4940 S. East End Ave., where he fatally shot doorwoman 46-year-old Aisha Johnson and wounded a 77-year-old-woman in the head as she grabbed her mail.

Next, Nightengale entered another apartment building in the 5500 block of South East End. Here, he stole a red Toyota from an unidentified acquaintance.^[5] He drove to the AK Food Mart convenience store at 9307 S. Halsted St, entered, and fatally shot 20-year-old Anthony Faulkner in the head, then shot and injured an 81-year-old woman in the neck and back.^{[6] [7]} Nightengale jumped the counter and robbed the cash register before leaving.

At 4:00 PM,^[8] Nightengale shot 15-year-old Damia Smith in the back seat of her mother's vehicle, in the 10300 block of South Halsted Street. Smith would later succumb to her wounds on February 2, 2021.^[9]

At an unknown time, Nightengale returned to AK Food Mart and fired at investigating officers. One round struck a police vehicle. No one was injured.

Evanston shootings and shooter's death

In Evanston, Nightengale fired a shot at a CVS Pharmacy at 101 Asbury Ave., striking no one. He entered an IHOP and shot 61-year-old Marta Torres after allegedly taking her hostage. Torres died from her wounds eight days later.^[10] Nightengale fled the scene and was quickly pursued by Evanston Police. As he withdrew in the direction of a Dollar General, Nightengale was shot numerous times by officers. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.^[11]

Notes and References

1. Web site: May . Tiffany . January 10, 2021 . At Least 4 Dead in Shooting Spree in Chicago and Evanston . The New York Times.
2. Web site: Jacobo . Julia . January 10, 2021 . 4 dead following shooting spree in Chicago area . ABC News.
3. Web site: Goudie . Chuck . Cauguiran . Cate . Kirsch . Jesse . McAdams . Alexis . 2021-01-10 . Witnesses describe chaos during shooting rampage between Chicago, Evanston that killed at least 3 . 2024-06-16 . ABC7 Chicago . en.
4. Web site: Victims Of Shooting Rampage That Stretched Across City Identified As Anthony Faulkner Jr., Doorwoman Aisha Johnson, University Of Chicago Ph.D. Student Yiran Fan. January 9, 2021. CBS News.
5. Web site: Spaulding . Clare . 2021-01-18 . Fourth victim dies from shooting spree . 2024-06-16 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
6. Web site: Farr . Christian . 2021-01-11 . 'Our Hearts Are Broken:' Family Remembers Man Killed in Shooting Rampage . 2024-06-16 . NBC Chicago . en-US.
7. Web site: Tumulty . Brónagh . 2021-01-12 . Chicago man who spoke to alleged gunman in shooting spree shares story . 2024-06-16 . WGN-TV . en-US.
8. Web site: 5 people, including gunman, dead in Chicago-Evanston shooting spree. January 11, 2021. wgntv.com.
9. Web site: Damia Smith, 15, Becomes Fifth Victim To Die After Jason Nightengale's Shooting Spree Last Month, Authorities Say. February 2, 2021. CBS News.
10. Web site: Woman shot at IHOP becomes 4th victim to die following random shooting spree between Chicago, Evanston. February 2, 2021. abc7chicago.com.
11. Web site: Elwood . Patrick . 2021-01-28 . Evanston police release body cam footage related to deadly shooting spree . 2024-06-16 . WGN-TV . en-US.