Edward V Duling

Edward V. Duling, a 29-year-old Black man known for his silly and funny personality, was a father who was deeply loved by his family. Remembered as outspoken and real, he was someone who loved his family profoundly. Friends and relatives knew him by the nickname "13 Red Bird." He had attended Westcott Elementary, Fenger High School, and South Shore High School in his youth. In his professional life, he worked as a teacher assistant, a role he enjoyed because he loved working with children, and also worked in security and as an entrepreneur. Poignantly, just before his death, Mr. Duling had been featured in a segment on "The Daily Show" about the anti-violence group CeaseFire, sharing a message of peace that would soon be tragically underscored by his own murder.

In the late hours of Wednesday, October 18, 2017, the life of Edward Duling was violently cut short in the South Shore neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. At approximately 11:15 p.m., Chicago Police officers were dispatched to the 7800 block of South Cornell Avenue following a report of a person shot. When they arrived, they found Mr. Duling lying in a parking lot on the very same block where he lived. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body. Paramedics could do nothing for him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation into the homicide was launched by the Chicago Police Department. Detectives canvassed the area for evidence and witnesses, but details about what led to the shooting have not been released to the public. No description of any suspect or persons of interest has been made available, and authorities have not publicly discussed a motive in the killing. The week Mr. Duling was killed was a violent one in Chicago, with at least nine other people losing their lives across the city. His death added to the grim statistics of a city grappling with gun violence, the very issue he had spoken about on a national platform.

The news of Mr. Duling's death brought an outpouring of grief from those who knew him and even from strangers who had seen his television appearance. His father left messages for him online, saying, "Rest on my son" and "I will miss you." His son, Edward Jr., simply wrote, "love u pops." Years after his death, his sister Patricia Duling continued to post messages of remembrance, writing in 2021, "I love and miss you so much little brother... it's been 4 long years since you've been gone." Viewers of "The Daily Show" segment also expressed their shock and sadness online, with one high school teacher writing that she would share his message with her students for as long as she was able.

As of late 2023, the murder of Edward Duling remains unsolved. No arrests have been made, and his case is now considered a cold case. His family and community are left with unanswered questions and the enduring pain of his absence. The Chicago Police Department continues to seek any information that could help them bring justice to Edward Duling and provide some measure of closure for his loved ones.