Kentrell Thompson

A 25 year old man is shot and killed in his car at a Chicago gas station
Kentrell Thompson, a 25-year-old African-American man known to his friends and family as “NuNu,” is remembered as a loving father, a great son, and a positive person with a beautiful smile. Those who knew him described him as a sweet, kind, and mannerable young man who was full of life and joy. A friend recalled his "unforgettable impression" and "rare soul full of good energy." A Humboldt Park resident, Kentrell was a father to three children: Chasity, Kentrell, and Christian. He was remembered as a very respectful person who was devoted to his mother and his children. Some knew him as a car salesman and a talented rapper.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 28, 2017, Kentrell was at a gas station in the Goose Island neighborhood on Chicago's Near North Side. At approximately 1:40 a.m., he was sitting in the front passenger seat of a car parked next to a gas pump in the 1200 block of North Halsted Street. An unknown individual emerged from a nearby gangway, approached the vehicle, and opened fire. Multiple shots were fired at the car, shattering the rear passenger windows. Kentrell was struck in the head by the gunfire.

Chicago Police officers and paramedics responded to the scene. Kentrell Thompson was pronounced dead at 2:29 a.m. where he was found, slumped over in the passenger seat. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his identity and the cause of his death. A small crowd gathered at the edge of the police tape, including a woman who lived nearby and had heard the gunshots. The shooting was one of several violent incidents that occurred across Chicago that weekend, a month that saw more than 285 people shot in the city.

The Chicago Police Department launched a homicide investigation into Kentrell's death. Detectives processed the scene at the gas station, searching for evidence and shell casings. In the immediate aftermath, police sources stated that Kentrell was a documented gang member. However, tributes on a memorial page describe him as a "good dude" who "talked Peace all the time" and was not involved in gangs or drugs, focusing instead on selling cars. No suspects were immediately identified or taken into custody following the shooting.

As of early 2017, no arrests had been made in connection with the murder of Kentrell Thompson, and the case remains unsolved. The investigation by the Chicago Police Department continues. The violent nature of his death left his family and friends devastated, mourning the loss of a man they cherished for his positive energy and loving heart. His death was part of a violent start to the year in Chicago, which had already recorded at least 49 homicides by the end of January. The case remains open, and authorities have not publicly named any suspects or persons of interest.