Lazerrek Ellis, a 30-year-old African American man from Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, was fatally shot on January 8, 2018, outside Avenue23 Bar at 2305 St. Charles Road in Bellwood, Illinois. The shooting followed a confrontation that began inside the nightclub and continued into the parking lot; shots fired in that exchange killed Ellis and wounded two other people. He was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a homicide.

Bellwood police arrested 25-year-old Troy Taylor and charged him with first-degree murder. Bellwood Police Chief Jim Allen said Taylor was involved in the shooting. At a court appearance on January 13, 2018, Taylor was ordered held without bail; his next scheduled court date was January 17, 2018. The community mourned Ellis and the incident prompted local discussion about violence and safety.

If anyone witnessed the confrontation at Avenue23 Bar or has information about the shooting, please come forward.