11-Year-Old Boy Found Dead in Chicago Identified as Suspect in Gang-Related Murder

Strategic Insights -

Police in Chicago have confirmed that an 11-year-old boy found under a train viaduct on Thursday is the same child suspected in the shooting death of a 14-year-old neighbor during a gang initiation rite. Robert Sandifer's body was found beneath the South Side train viaduct shortly after midnight, and authorities have confirmed that he was shot at least once in the back of the head. Sandifer's death is seen as a tragic example of the dangers of gang involvement, with Police Superintendent Matt Rodriguez warning that the promises of gangs are not promises of good things.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 11-year-old boy, Robert Sandifer, was suspected in the shooting death of a 14-year-old neighbor, Shavon Dean, in a gang initiation rite.
  • Sandifer's body was found under a train viaduct on Thursday, and he was identified as the suspect in the murder through crime scene photographs by family members.
  • Sandifer had been in and out of state custody since he was 22 months old, and had suffered physical and emotional abuse, including whippings and burnings.
  • The boy's family had problems keeping track of his care, and he was eventually placed in a state child care facility in November 1993.
  • Sandifer was placed on probation in February for attempted armed robbery, but ran away from his placement at the grandmother's house.
  • He was arrested again in June and spent time in the Cook County juvenile detention center before being placed in the custody of his grandmother.
  • Public Guardian Patrick Murphy stated that Sandifer's behavior was the result of being made and turned into a sociopath by the time he was 3 years old.

Statistics:

  • The child had been in and out of state custody since he was 22 months old.
  • Before his death, Sandifer had spent time in various placements, including state child care facilities and juvenile detention centers.
  • The Cook County juvenile detention center had held Sandifer on two separate occasions.
  • Sandifer had been placed on probation in February for attempted armed robbery, and ran away from his placement at the grandmother's house.

Sources:

  • Chicago Police Department, Sept. 1, 2020 (Cmdr. Earl Nevels, Police Superintendent Matt Rodriguez)
  • Cook County Juvenile Court
  • Public Guardian Patrick Murphy, Sept. 1, 2020