Police: Killing of father, 2 kids in Hazel Crest not random

HAZEL CREST, Ill. (WLS) -- The murders of a father and his two young daughters inside their Hazel Crest home Saturday morning was not random, and may have targeted the father, police said.

At about 2:20 a.m., shots were fired at the home in the 2400-block of Crescent Drive. The victims were identified as Dionus Neely, 39; Elle Neely, 10; and Endia Neely, 3.

"Anyone who could kill a 3-year-old and a 10-year-old, no matter what the circumstances, is nothing but pure evil as far as I'm concerned," said Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis III.

The father had an extensive criminal record, including drug-related arrests, police said.

At a news conference Sunday, Davis said they have no suspects and that 30 detectives are investigating the triple homicide. Davis said they ruled out murder-suicide.

The two children killed were two of five children who lived in the house, neighbors said. Three children and the children's mother escaped without injury.

On Sunday, investigators canvassed the neighborhood again in hopes of gathering information.

Family remembered the precious girls.

"They will be totally, completely missed," said their aunt, Joi Chambers. "Endia and Ellie, are the most wonderful children. Beautiful spirits, they love music, and singing and dancing. They were happy, happy children."

Elle was a 3rd grader in Cindy Kebr's class at the Jesse White Learning Academy.

"She had the biggest, brightest smile," Kebr said.

Police did not say Saturday how the shooting happened, but several bullet holes could be seen on the front and back of the house, indicating the shots may have come from the outside.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family of the victims.

The South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hazel Crest Police Department at 708-335-9640, extension No. 1.