Man, 21, killed in Washington Heights drive-by shooting; Reward offered

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 21-year-old man was killed in a drive-by shooting in Chicago's Washington Heights neighborhood. His mother identified him as D'Montre Caleb Smith.

Smith was shot in front of his home near South May and West 102nd streets around 10:30 p.m. Monday. Police said a dark-colored sedan drove by and someone inside opened fire.

"I heard the gunshots, and I just happened to step outside and I seen it. It's just senseless," said Willard Cunningham, a neighbor.

Smith had just gotten out of his car with his girlfriend in front of his home when a gunman in a car driving by opened fire.

Witnesses say they heard at least six shots. They say Smith tried to run, but he was hit and stumbled into the gangway next to his house where he collapsed. His girlfriend apparently survived by lying motionless on the ground.

"I heard some gunshots, ran out, tried to assist the mother. Man, it was just horrific, really terrible," said Charles Watson, a neighbor.

Neighbors say gunfire is rare in this Washington Heights block and they are even more troubled that Smith was apparently the target. Some family members believe the gunman had him confused with someone else.

Friends say he was hard working, quiet and respectful. He worked at FedEx to earn money to go to school. He studied architecture at Olive-Harvey College, though he was not enrolled this semester.

"Great guy. He wasn't in no negativity. Every time, you know, we'd go to school, we'd laugh, talk, that was it," said Johnathan Booker, a student.

"Very respectable, nice, young man. Every time you saw him he had a smile. He was really great. He'd help you out with anything you needed done," Watson said.

Area South detectives are investigating the shooting. No one is in custody.

Activist Andrew Holmes and his organization have offered a $1,000 reward for any information leading police to an arrest.