Tragic Loss in Austin: Remembering Lasiah Palmer

Lasiah Palmer, a 15-year-old from the West Side of Chicago, lived a life protected by his family. They took special care to shield him from street violence. On a Tuesday night, he stayed home, enjoying the summer air from his back porch. His cousin, Billeka Palmer, stated, “That should not have been a problem.”

Known as “Spyda,” Lasiah was tragically shot early Wednesday. He was found unconscious with a gunshot wound to his head on a third-floor patio of his Austin home. Police responded to a call shortly after 1 a.m. Officers found Lasiah unresponsive, and paramedics transported him to Stroger Hospital. He was later pronounced dead.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office declared his death a homicide. The investigation revealed that Lasiah returned home after swimming with friends, showered, and watched TV in his mother’s bedroom. His mother discovered him bleeding on the porch.

Lasiah was known as a quiet and introverted teenager, who loved spending time with his mom and younger brother. His cousin described him as someone who kept to himself but had a humorous side. He loved sports and was excited about starting high school at Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy.

The last time Billeka Palmer saw Lasiah was two months ago on Mother’s Day. She emphasized that Lasiah’s mother worked tirelessly to protect her sons, discussing how to navigate the world as young Black men. Billeka expressed, “She did everything correctly.”

Chicago, particularly the Austin community, has been grappling with violence. As of Saturday, Austin leads the city with 18 homicides. In Chicago, 233 people have been slain in 2026. Lasiah’s mother worked hard to ensure her children did not become part of that statistic. Billeka shared, “To know him is to be reminded of the innocence that our children do carry.”

The family launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral and memorial costs, raising over $3,400. Lasiah’s cousin, Diamond Dortch, noted, “He was more than a name. He was a loving son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend.” No updated information regarding the investigation is available as detectives continue probing the case.