A Routine Evening Turns Tragic

On the evening of July 29, 2016, the Ashburn neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest Side was disrupted by a violent incident that would leave a lasting impact on the community. At approximately 7:15 p.m., 21-year-old Ural J. Durant was standing near an SUV parked in the 2400 block of West 79th Street. The tranquility of the evening was shattered when two individuals emerged from a gangway and began firing at the vehicle. The SUV, later identified as stolen, sped away in a desperate attempt to escape the gunfire, only to crash into a building at 79th and Artesian. The occupants fled the scene, leaving behind chaos and unanswered questions. 

The Immediate Aftermath

In the chaotic moments following the shooting, Durant was struck by the fleeing SUV. First responders arrived swiftly, but despite their efforts, Durant was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:44 p.m. Initial reports suggested he had suffered a gunshot wound to the head; however, subsequent autopsy results revealed that his death was due to multiple injuries sustained from being hit by the vehicle. The Cook County medical examiner's office classified his death as a homicide. ...Read More