$10K reward offered in Naperville man's shooting death in North Austin

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A $10,000 reward will be offered Friday to catch the person who killed a man from southwest suburban Naperville on Chicago's West Side.

Ronald Allen was driving home after playing cards with longtime friends when he was shot to death on Dec. 2 in the city's North Austin neighborhood.

The 73-year-old man was shot in the side and crashed his car into two parked vehicles. He died at the scene.

Andrew Holmes, a community activist, plans to announce Friday a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Allen's killer.

Allen's wife said he played Bid Whist with friends two or three times a week. She said he even wrote a book about the card game.

"My father had three passions. One was family, the second was all things Chicago and the last was his card playing," Mark Allen, the victim's son said.

"As much as this has brought our family together, I know that he's looking down hoping this will bring the community together tomorrow," Vera Bass, Allen's daughter said.

Friends and family remembered him as a trailblazer.

"Ronald Allen was an amazingly active person. He was the change he wanted to see in the world," Dianne McGuire, a Naperville resident, said.

Although he served on several boards, he remained committed to helping heal police and community relations through a group called the Urban Partnership.

A visitation for Allen is scheduled for Friday night. His funeral will be held Saturday.