There have been three shootings in four days, one of them fatal, and all of them within a half mile of each other. While investigators don't believe they're connected, they've certainly raised alarm bells within the Lakeview neighborhood.
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Speaking with ABC7 from his home on Sunday, Matthew Hair and his father, Bill, recounted what they know about William Hair's last moments.
"Senseless. It's the only word for it," said Matthew, William's brother.
The 35-year-old was shot and killed near Broadway and Surf at about 2:15 a.m. Saturday after walking a friend home from a nearby bar. It was, they believe, an attempted robbery perpetrated by the occupants of a vehicle that pulled up alongside him.
"He was there with his best friend. They pulled up, didn't have a chance to do anything. His best friend, thank God, was with him, and valiantly tried to save his life, and performed CPR, helped him breathe. My son fought for his life, but he was gone," Matthew said.
SEE ALSO | Chicago shootings: 36 shot, 8 fatally, in Memorial Day weekend gun violence across city, CPD says
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Hair was one of five people shot over the last four days near or along a half mile stretch of Broadway Avenue in Lakeview. The latest shooting took place overnight, near Broadway and Barry, and injured three people.
Alderman Bennett Lawson, who represents the 44th Ward, said police have increased patrols in the area for the remainder of the holiday weekend.
But, are they enough? The 19th District is down 200 officers from over a decade ago.
"I'm concerned about police manpower to cover not just our neighborhoods, but our large-scale events. We also have a festival and a Cubs weekend happening. So, I worry about those numbers," Lawson said.
But, while the investigations into all three shootings continue, there is a family devastated.
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"We shared all friends. We have both lived in Illinois our entire lives, and lived in Chicago for over a decade and spent countless nights together," Matthew said. "I'm unable to ever see my brother and my best friend ever again."
They are holding on to their last shared moments, and trying to honor William's memory as best as they know how.
"I'm trying to do what my son would want me to do. He was the kind of person who would forgive him. I'll do my best for his memory," Bill said.
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