Hundreds participate in Morgan Park popcorn shop Lets Get Poppin fundraiser for family
CHICAGO (WLS) -- First responders are saying goodbye Thursday to a retired Chicago firefighter, who was killed during an attempted carjacking.
A fundraiser has also been announced in his name.
Colleagues from the fire and police departments are paying respects to fallen retired CFD Lt. Dwain Williams.
Williams, 65, was killed in a carjacking attempt last week.
It happened when he was making his regular visit to "Lets Get Poppin" popcorn shop in Morgan Park on the afternoon of Dec. 3. A growing memorial now marks the spot where he was killed.
The shop plans to hold a fundraiser Thursday afternoon. Customers are asked to buy a bag of Williams' favorite popcorn for $10 a bag, in which a portion of the proceeds will go to his family.
Police released video of the carjacking in hopes of identifying the suspects. There is also a reward of at least $34,000 being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Thursday's visitation goes through the evening, and the popcorn fundraiser starts at 2 p.m.
Chicago police are now battling a dramatic increase in carjackings, with more than 1,200 reported so far this year. There were 501 reported at this time in 2019.
RELATED: Carjackings in Chicago increase 134% in 2020, police say
Detectives hope this video will help take some of those offenders off the streets and bring some peace to Williams' family.
Anyone with information that might lead to an arrest in Williams' murder can submit a tip anonymously at CPDtip.com.