Chicago Heights violence prevention leader Andre Thomas killed on Halloween
The 57-year-old founder of Integrity and Fidelity died after being shot near his office in the south suburbs.
By Andrew Hayes ·
Andre Thomas, the 57-year-old founder of a local violence prevention group, was shot and killed on Halloween night in Chicago Heights.
Chicago police responded to a gunshot detection alert near Wilson Avenue and 14th Street in Chicago Heights at approximately 9:30 p.m. Officers found Thomas suffering from gunshot wounds at the scene. He later died from his injuries. No arrests have been made, and investigators are continuing to look for a motive.
Thomas served as the chief executive officer of Integrity and Fidelity, an organization that works to reduce community violence in Chicago and the south suburbs. Mark Saint, the interim executive director of the group, said Thomas spent part of the holiday in Englewood. Saint described Thomas giving out candy to local youth and greeting neighbors before traveling to his Chicago Heights office. Thomas wanted to be present when outreach workers finished their shifts around 9:30 p.m.
Colleagues described Thomas as a man who openly discussed his past, including his time in prison. Dr. Crystal Toran of UCAN Chicago said Thomas viewed his work in violence prevention as a way to make amends for issues he caused when he was younger. Toran stated that Thomas paid his debt to society and dedicated his life to helping people understand the results of committing violence.
Friends and family members gathered in Englewood for a balloon release to honor Thomas. Catrina Thomas, a relative, said his family loves him and misses him. Saint noted that Thomas was passionate about creating safer environments for children. Saint said Thomas believed every child deserves to be born healthy and feel safe. He also loved the Englewood neighborhood and the city of Chicago.
