AUSTIN — A 21-year-old Austin man was shot and killed early Sunday, just a few blocks from his home, after leaving a party.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Denzell Williams, of the 5600 block of West Washington Boulevard
The shooting took place at about 3 a.m. in the 0-100 block of North Central Avenue, according to police. Williams was pronounced dead on the scene at 3:55 a.m., according to the medical examiner's office.
Williams was walking down Central with relatives when a man came up behind them and fired several shots, striking Williams more than once, police said. No one else was injured.
The suspect, approximately 20 and wearing a hooded sweatshirt, then ran north on Central.
Outside the police tape at the scene early Sunday, Eddie Enoch, who identified himself as Williams' uncle, said he was heading home from a party with his nephew when the shooting occurred.
He said they were walking south on Central when the shooter appeared from the west side of Washington, just around the corner.
Enoch said the killer was alone. When the shots were fired, Enoch said, he ran south on Central.
Williams was believed to have affiliations with the Black Disciples gang, according to police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak. The homicide investigation is ongoing.
Officials loaded Williams' body into a vehicle at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, while friends and family looked on.
As other relatives and friends stood around, sobbing and watching the police, Enoch said Williams was an intelligent, articulate man who loved the world.
"He just made a few bad choices," Enoch said.
