Police say an Evanston man killed Sunday on the South Side of Chicago may have been the intended target of a shooting last week in west Evanston.
Blake Ross, 20, was shot dead Sunday in the 2800 block of East 76th Street. Ross, of the 2300 block of Greenwood Street, attended Evanston Township High School, ETHS spokeswoman Takumi Iseda said.
Evanston Police Cmdr. Jay Parrott said Ross was a “possible intended target” in last week’s shooting near Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St. Shots were fired the afternoon of May 7 near the community center. The gun activity led Evanston police to deploy greater manpower in the area.
Officers interviewed Ross after the incident, although he did not provide any information, Parrott said.
Parrott said Ross’s death appeared to be gang-related.
“We will assist Chicago police in any way we can to help solve that murder,” Parrott said.
Following reports of shots fired on Foster Street, the community center was locked down, building coordinator Alando Massie said. Earlier this month, Massie said the shootings near the community center had no connection to gang activity.
“These guys grew up with each other. They know each other,” Massie said. “Whatever personal beef they had seemed to catch up.”
Ald. Delores Holmes (5th) said she will address the recent violence during Thursday’s 5th Ward meeting at the community center.
“It’s just unacceptable behavior that cannot continue in the community,” Holmes said. “We will deal with that (in the meeting) and see if we can come up with a solution.”
