Tragic Loss of Marcus Chatman Shakes Community

Ahmani Hicks recalls her son, Marcus Chatman, as a boy who always wore a smile and had a talent for making friends wherever he went. At 14 years old, he played football for a team in the Dolton area. Hicks remembers him as someone who would freely give his possessions to anyone in need. ‘He was trusting because he believed everyone shared his love,’ she said.

Marcus was shot and killed around 11:30 p.m. on June 18 in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood. Hicks, who was planning his 15th birthday celebration, is now arranging a private funeral for him. Chatman was known for his playful nature, often dancing and filling their household with joy. His family relished calls from him, often putting him on speaker to enjoy his humor.

The Midwest Hawks Youth Football team, which Marcus played for, has provided considerable support to Hicks and her family. They have delivered groceries and spent time with them, offering comfort to his three brothers who have been hesitant to leave home or attend football practice since the tragedy. In a statement, the football league acknowledged the ‘heartbreaking loss of one of our alumni,’ condemning the shooting as a senseless act of violence. The league expressed gratitude for Hicks’s years of involvement, noting her support of many young athletes.

Hicks is seeking justice, awaiting police action against her son’s shooter. Her seven-year-old constantly asks for updates. She hopes to find closure by ensuring those responsible are caught. ‘Nothing can bring me happiness now, but knowing these individuals are off the streets would bring closure,’ she stated.

Chicago police told Hicks that video evidence shows Marcus walking out of a South Carpenter apartment with individuals he thought were friends. One of these supposed friends shot him twice, hitting his lungs, then fled. Others at the scene retreated into the apartment, leaving Marcus alone in the alley.

Hicks learned about the incident from a call informing her that Marcus had been shot twice. She tracked his location to University of Chicago Medicine, where doctors confirmed his death upon arrival. While waiting at the hospital, Hicks accessed Marcus’s Instagram account and discovered group conversations identifying the shooter and critiquing their actions. She provided authorities with screenshots from the chat, noting some messages had been deleted.

Hicks warned other parents about guiding their children away from harmful influences. She recounted cautioning Marcus about these friends since last June when they began causing disturbances near her home. The friends, whose ages ranged from 16 to 20, did not attend school and lived nearby. They had encouraged Marcus to join Job Corps instead of continuing his education.

‘Marcus chose to follow them over me, trusting them completely,’ Hicks said. Her sons have struggled with bad dreams and emotional distress since Marcus’s death, impacting their willingness to engage in football.

The Midwest Hawks team’s support has been a vital source of comfort. Community members have actively shown love by visiting and providing groceries when the family was unresponsive. Hicks plans a balloon release on June 26, Marcus’s birthday, as part of the commemoration efforts.

The incident was part of a violent weekend in Chicago, where several shootings occurred, resulting in eight fatalities and 39 injuries. Following the violence, faith leaders and activists urged local government to establish a Department of Gun Violence Prevention to strengthen policies against gun violence.