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Read the press release here.

Burnside Man and Killed Leaving His Grandmother's Apartment

By Quinn Ford | January 7, 2013 11:57pm
 The funeral pamphlet of Robert Munn. Family members say he was an active member of the church just across the street from where he was shot and killed on September 24, 2012.
The funeral pamphlet of Robert Munn. Family members say he was an active member of the church just across the street from where he was shot and killed on September 24, 2012.
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DNAinfo.com/Quinn Ford

BURNSIDE — On September 24, Robert Munn stopped by his grandmother’s apartment after work to check in on her, something those who knew him say he often did. As he walked out to his car to leave around 9 p.m.., he was shot and killed.

Police found Munn outside the apartment located at 8850 South Cottage Grove Avenue and pronounced him dead on the scene, according to Police News Affairs Officer Jose Estrada. No one has been charged with Munn’s murder and police say the investigation is ongoing.

Just across the street from where Munn was killed is the New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Louis Montgomery, who has been the church's pastor for over 30 years, said he had known the 29-year-old Munn since Munn was a kid.

 The apartment building at 8850 South Cottage Grove Avenue where Robert Munn was shot and killed on September 24, 2012.
The apartment building at 8850 South Cottage Grove Avenue where Robert Munn was shot and killed on September 24, 2012.
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DNAinfo.com/Quinn Ford

“Robert grew up in the church,” Montgomery said.

When he was younger, Munn sang in the choir and, when he was older, he operated the church’s sound system, something he continued to do until his death. He also helped with the church’s food pantry and Junior Deacons ministry, according to Montgomery.

“He did it all, and just to see that happen to a young man who was trying to do something in life, it has actually destroyed, put a hurt on our entire church,” Montgomery said.

Munn, of 8210 South Ellis Avenue, was the fourth of five children, with four brothers and one sister. Munn graduated from South Shore High School in 2001 and attended DeVry and Westwood Colleges after serving one year in the U.S.. Navy.

Munn worked for the Safer Foundation, a Chicago-based organization that aims to reduce recidivism. He also served as the vice president of the 88th and 89th Street Block Club. At the time of his death, he was working for a security company.

Munn’s grandmother, Christine Holmes, declined to be formally interviewed, but did share the obituary from her grandson’s funeral:

“He was affectionately known as the DJ for various events as well as the comedian, never shying away from the microphone. On any given Sunday, you never knew which color suit Robert would wear as he learned from his early days of stomping for the Lord with Deacon Burton and the Victory Travelers.”

More than anything else, Montgomery said Munn was a man who was very involved in his community.

“Robert was a great young man, and I would like the whole world to know the guy that he was,” Montgomery said. “A young man that was really trying to help people.”