West Garfield Park Tragedy: 16-Year-Old David Mason Jr. Fatally Shot in Broad Daylight, Community Demands Change

CHICAGO, IL — October 21, 2025 — Tragedy struck West Garfield Park this afternoon as 16-year-old David Mason Jr. was fatally shot, marking yet another heartbreaking chapter in Chicago’s ongoing struggle with gun violence. The loss of such a young life has left the community reeling, with family members, friends, and neighbors mourning a teenager described as full of promise, kindness, and ambition.

According to the Chicago Police Department, the shooting occurred around 3:45 p.m. near the 4300 block of West Monroe Street. Officers responded to reports of gunfire and found David suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics rushed him to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and no suspects are currently in custody.

Witnesses described a chaotic and emotional scene, as residents and passersby tried to comfort the young victim before emergency crews arrived. “It happened so fast,” said one neighbor. “One moment, kids were walking home from school — the next, we heard shots. It’s heartbreaking because it could’ve been any of our kids.”

David Mason Jr., known affectionately as “DJ” to friends and family, was a student at a nearby high school. Those who knew him say he was a quiet but determined young man who loved basketball, music, and spending time with his cousins. Teachers described him as respectful and focused, a student who worked hard despite the challenges around him.

“He had dreams,” said one of his close friends. “He wanted to play ball and make something of himself. He was trying to do right, trying to stay out of trouble. This shouldn’t have happened to him.”

David’s family, overwhelmed by grief, gathered at the scene of the shooting alongside neighbors and community leaders to light candles and pray. His mother, through tears, shared that her son was “a good boy” who was simply walking home after school. “He didn’t deserve this,” she said. “He had his whole life ahead of him.”

The tragedy adds to a mounting toll of violence in Chicago, where families across multiple neighborhoods continue to face the devastating effects of gunfire. West Garfield Park, in particular, has struggled with persistent violence, poverty, and a lack of opportunities for youth — issues that community activists say must be addressed to prevent more senseless deaths like David’s.

“This isn’t just another statistic — this is someone’s child,” said community organizer Marcus Hill, who has worked with anti-violence initiatives in the area. “Until we invest in our kids and our neighborhoods, this cycle will continue. We can’t keep burying our future.”

City leaders and faith-based organizations have condemned the violence and are calling for both accountability and unity. Vigils are planned in David’s honor, with residents using the moment to demand change and remember the life that was cut far too short.

Police continue to urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Chicago Police Department or Crime Stoppers, emphasizing that tips can remain anonymous.

As night falls over West Garfield Park, the flickering candles at the makeshift memorial serve as both a tribute and a plea — for justice, for peace, and for a future where children like David Mason Jr. can grow up without fear.

His name joins too many others lost to violence, but his memory — and the love of those who knew him — will not be forgotten. David’s life, though brief, stands as a painful reminder of both the fragility of youth and the urgent need for hope and change in Chicago’s streets.