ILLINOIS, USA — It's been 347 days since the shooting death of a former KIPP Atlanta Schools assistant principal who was gunned down in Chicago, and his alleged killer has not been charged.
Abnerd Joseph was just 32 years old when he was killed on September 14, 2023, at an apartment complex in Chicago. He was the assistant principal at KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, a charter school system located in the northwest part of the city. After leaving KIPP, Joseph went on to become the assistant principal of culture at Intrinsic Schools' downtown campus in Chicago, according to an NBC Chicago report.
A 45-year-old man was arrested but, according to the family, he not been charged since the incident happened, NBC Chicago said in their report.
"Why can’t we get answers? Why can’t we get justice? Why can’t Abnerd get justice?" his brother, Jay Charles, said.
At a Monday news conference in Illinois, the former assistant principal's family pleaded to the community, asking them to take action to demand charges for the alleged shooter.
"When the police arrived, my brother's shooter had his gun still stuck into his pants pocket. Why was he shot? That's become why are there still no charges. Why has the man who admitted to shooting my brother still have not been charged in 347 days?" Joseph's sister, Jeanna Kelley, questioned.
According to the family's attorneys, Joseph has ADHD and recently switched to a new medication. A news release added that before Joseph was shot, he was in emotional distress in the hallway of his building, knocking on people's doors and asking for help. Joseph told neighbors he was concerned for his safety, the news release added.
Attorneys added that the staff was made aware of his distress, alleging that the staff allegedly "accompanied the defendant gunman to track Abnerd and 'handle' the situation with tragic consequences."
Attorneys representing the family filed a lawsuit in May against the alleged shooter and the property managers, stating the staff allegedly allowed "an armed resident to patrol the hallways" and "act as a vigilante." The lawyers added the alleged shooter also "sought out a confrontation" with Joseph before the shooting.
"Several of his friends came up to me and said that he helped them battle depression. Several of his students came up to us and said had it not been for Mr. Joseph, they would have acted on their suicidal thoughts," Kelley said. "So why then, my brother, in his most vulnerable time, needed help, and he was denied that help that he so effortlessly gave to everybody else."
At Monday's news conference, lawyers continued to ask the Cook County, Illinois, State Attorney to take action and file charges against the alleged shooter before she leaves office.
"My brother's life was cut short for no reason, and we owe it to him to continue to seek justice and make sure his legacy and memory is honored. Our family has been more than patient," said Brian Bien-Aime, Joseph's brother.
Loved ones described Abnerd as a compassionate and selfless man.
"My brother Abnerd dedicated his life to nurturing the next generations to help them to become leaders. He did this with compassion and selflessness," Kelley said.
Another one of Joseph's brothers also spoke at Monday's news conference, where he painted the picture of a man who was always looking out for family, friends, his students and even strangers.
"He was such a light to the world and to our family. The emptiness left by my brother's death is unexplainable," he said.
The family is asking for $1.1M in damages from the property management and the alleged shooter in the May lawsuit for alleged negligence and wrongful death.
11Alive has contacted the attorneys of the defendants in the case for comment. We have not received a response.
The Cooke County State Attorney's Office released the following statement about the case:
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is committed to the work justice and continues to work with police on this ongoing investigation.
