Man Shot Dead Hours After Attending Rapper's Funeral in Illinois
The father-to-be was targeted in a shooting that police are investigating, with some reports speculating a connection to gang activity.
A 26-year-old father-to-be was fatally shot Friday evening in Chicago's Grand Crossing neighborhood, hours after attending the funeral of a rapper who had been murdered weeks prior. Naseem Stevens was killed after being pursued by two gunmen who opened fire on him. He crashed into a pole while attempting to evade his attackers.
Stevens had been at the funeral of Mi'KQuale Cooper, 22, known as BloodHound Q50, who was killed at a gas station less than two weeks earlier. Police reports indicate that Stevens' car bore a sticker from Cooper's funeral. While the motive for Stevens' shooting remains unclear, some reports have suggested a potential link to the BloodHounds street gang on Chicago's South Side.
Stevens' mother, Karonna Williams, stated that while her son had a history of legal troubles, including a two-year prison sentence in 2022 for gun charges, he was beginning to turn his life around after learning he was going to become a father. She described him as being excited about the upcoming birth of his child and starting a new life with his partner.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. Friday when Stevens was near his Dodge Challenger at a Citgo gas station. A black sedan approached, and two individuals inside began shooting. Stevens attempted to flee in his vehicle, with the gunmen pursuing and continuing to fire. The chase concluded when Stevens, who had sustained gunshot wounds to the back and knee, collided with a police car. He was taken to UChicago Medicine, where he was pronounced dead. The gunmen fled the scene and remain at large.
Cooper's murder occurred on September 14, when he was ambushed by six gunmen at a gas station in Fuller Park. Over 80 rounds were fired into his Tesla as he sat with his pregnant girlfriend. Cooper died within an hour of the shooting. His girlfriend was unharmed but reportedly believes a Tesla safety feature prevented Cooper from immediately driving away. Police are investigating Stevens' death, but have not confirmed a direct connection to Cooper's murder, though they noted Cooper's ties to the area where Stevens was killed.