Darius J Edwards

Darius J. Edwards, a young African-American man known to some friends as "Keezy," is remembered for his sense of humor. At 28 years old, he had a past that included time spent at Austin Career Education Center in his native Chicago and at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. Friends from his college days recalled him fondly, with one appreciating his friendship during their time together. His life was a collection of moments and connections that were abruptly and violently ended in the early morning hours of a September weekend.

The attack occurred just after midnight on Saturday, September 23, 2017. Darius was walking through an alley in Chicago's Austin neighborhood on the West Side, in the 5400 block of West Van Buren Street, the same area where he lived. Suddenly, a maroon van drove up, and an unknown individual inside opened fire. The shots struck Darius, inflicting a severe wound to his groin and torso. The van sped away, leaving him critically injured in the alley.

First responders rushed Darius to Mount Sinai Hospital. He was admitted in serious condition, and medical staff fought for hours to save his life. Despite their efforts, the damage from the single gunshot wound was too severe. At 11:01 a.m. that same morning, approximately eleven hours after the shooting, Darius J. Edwards was pronounced dead. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office later conducted an autopsy and officially ruled his death a homicide.

The Chicago Police Department launched an investigation into the fatal drive-by shooting. Detectives canvassed the area for evidence and sought witnesses who might have seen the maroon van or the person who fired the shots. The Austin neighborhood, like many parts of Chicago that year, was grappling with a high rate of gun violence. The year 2017 was a particularly violent period for the city, and Darius's murder was one of hundreds that detectives were tasked with solving.

In the days and weeks following the shooting, police reported that no one was in custody. The investigation remained active, but no suspects were publicly identified, and no arrests were announced. Friends and loved ones were left with unanswered questions and the profound grief of a life taken without warning or reason. Online, they lit virtual candles in his memory and left brief but heartfelt messages, saying "i miss you bro" and "you will never be forgotten."

Years have passed since Darius Edwards was killed, and his case has grown cold. There have been no significant updates released to the public regarding the investigation, and the identity of the person or people inside the maroon van remains unknown. His murder is a stark reminder of the persistent gun violence that affects communities and the many families who continue to wait for justice for their loved ones. As of September 2017, no reward had been announced, and the case remains an open and unsolved homicide with the Chicago Police Department.