Chicago Man Charged in Halloween Killing of Violence Prevention Leader Andre Thomas (Chicago Heights, IL) — A Chicago man has been charged with first-degree murder in the Halloween shooting death of Andre M. Thomas, a community violence prevention leader whose organization works to prevent shootings in Chicago and the south suburbs.
Alex D. Morris, 54, was arrested Nov. 6 near 95th Street and Perry Avenue in Chicago, according to Chicago Heights police. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved murder charges Nov. 8 after reviewing the investigation.
Morris is scheduled to appear Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Cook County Circuit Court’s Sixth Municipal District courthouse in Markham.
Thomas, 57, of Matteson, led Integrity & Fidelity, a nonprofit focused on community violence intervention. The organization uses street outreach, conflict mediation and support services to reach people at risk of becoming involved in gun violence. Its outreach workers build relationships in neighborhoods and intervene in disputes before they escalate into shootings.
Police found Thomas wounded in the 400 block of West 14th Street on Saturday, Oct. 31, after responding to a SoundThinking gunshot detection alert at approximately 9:24 p.m. He had been shot multiple times, authorities said.
Chicago Heights Fire Department personnel took Thomas to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Chicago Heights investigators sought assistance from the Illinois State Police and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force. During the first week of the investigation, detectives identified several persons of interest, including Morris, police said.
Chicago Heights police and task force investigators located Morris in Chicago with help from the Chicago Police Department. Authorities said he was taken into custody without incident.
The investigation remains open. Police are withholding information about the other persons of interest and additional details of the case.
The department’s announcement did not disclose a motive, describe any relationship between Morris and Thomas or detail the evidence underlying the charges.
Morris is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Chicago Man Charged in Halloween Killing of Violence Prevention Leader Andre Thomas
