CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — After almost one year, charges have still not been filed against a resident who shot and killed an assistant principal named Abnerd Joseph. On Monday, Joseph's family demanded answers.
On Sept. 14, 2023, the 32-year-old Joseph died after being shot multiple times by a neighbor inside his high-rise building in the Loop.
Jason Friedl, a senior attorney at Romanucci and Blandin, said the neighbor was a Concealed Carry License holder and "tracked down" Joseph, who, according to witnesses, was in emotional distress.
"That resident sought out Abnerd Joseph ,instead of waiting for law enforcement to arrive and utilize their training in de-escalation and crisis intervention,” Friedl said.
And almost 12 months later, that neighbor has not been criminally charged. Joseph's sister, Rayne Belcher, said she's getting tired of asking, “Why?”
“No healing has taken place," Belcher said. "Instead, we're holding our breath, waiting for people to be charged. We're losing patience and starting to feel unheard.”
A wrongful death lawsuit was filed in May, but the family's attorneys said the fatal shooting has still been classified as an open investigation.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office told WBBM it is “committed to the work of justice and continues to work with police on this ongoing investigation.”
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