Month: January 2016
Deandre Holiday-The First Chicago Homicide of 2016
In the first reported homicide of 2016, Deandre Holiday was shot to death early New Year’s Day in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood on the South Side.

Holiday, 24, got into a fight with someone in the 4600 block of South St. Lawrence and that person pulled out a gun and fired shots at 2:20 a.m., according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The shooter then ran away.
Holiday, of the 5100 block of South Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.
A second person, a 38-year-old man, was also struck by the gunfire and later showed up at Provident Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand, police said. He was listed in good condition.
The crime scene on South Saint Lawrence Avenue stretched from East 46th Place to East 45th Street. A tan Lexus was parked on the east side of South Saint Lawrence Avenue with the driver side door open. Holiday’s body was lying in the street under the open door, next to shell casings.
Friends and family began arriving on the scene about 3:30Â a.m.
Any information about this murder or any homicide please call Crimestoppers 1800-535-stop or use this confidential link
http://www.cookcountycrimestoppers.org/contact.php
Another great source for information is the Chicago Suntimes Homicide Watch
http://homicides.suntimes.com
Freedom First International is starting a  Bereavement service
As a result of Deandre’s death Freedom First International is starting a  Bereavement service-which is a free service to help family’s get though the process of loosing a loved one.  is the period of grief and mourning after a death. When you grieve, it’s part of the normal process of reacting to a loss. You may experience grief as a mental, physical, social or emotional reaction. Mental reactions can include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness and despair. Physical reactions can include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, physical problems or illness.
Here are a few ways you can personally help stop violence in your community:
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Report acts of violence to the police.
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If a friend or someone you know is being hurt or threatened, CALL 911.
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If a friend or family member is being abusive, encourage them to seek out help and give them numbers to local abuse programs, such as Domestic Abuse Project – 612-874-7063 – or Wilder Foundation – 651-280-2000.
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Support local community justice programs. Donate your time, talents, or money.
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Encourage your employer and faith community to provide anti violence training.
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Teach your children alternatives to acting out violently.
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Talk to your teens about violence.
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Check yourself! Violence is a choice. Choose not to abuse.
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Reaching Community Partners – EVERYONE has a role to play in violence prevention!