Chicago police have released a photo of a person of interest connected to the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Armani Floyd in the Loop on Friday night — a violent episode that left Floyd dead and eight others wounded just hours after the city’s official Christmas tree lighting.
Authorities say the image, apparently captured from an officer’s body-worn camera, shows a man dressed in a gray jacket, purple Nike tracksuit, and black Air Force Ones.
Two Shootings, Nine Victims
The first shooting erupted around 9:50 p.m. outside the Chicago Theatre on the 100 block of North State Street, where seven teens were wounded. All were hospitalized in good or fair condition.
Less than an hour later, a second shooting occurred near Dearborn and Adams, killing Floyd, who was struck multiple times. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An 18-year-old man was also shot in the leg and hospitalized in serious condition.
City officials said social media posts indicated a large teen gathering downtown on Friday evening, though it’s unclear whether that crowd was connected to the violence.
A Promising Teen Remembered
Floyd was a participant in Project sWISH Chicago, a nonprofit basketball program. Its founder, McKinley Nelson, said he was stunned by the news.
Rewards Offered for Information
Multiple organizations are offering rewards for information:
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$10,000 from Cook County Crime Stoppers
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$5,000 from the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation
Anyone with information is urged to contact Area Three detectives at 312-744-8261.