UPTOWN — On June 18th, Henry Soyege's short life came to a tragic end.
Just after midnight on that sweltering June night, Soyege, 19, was shot to death near his family’s home in the Uptown neighborhood in what police described as a “possibly gang-related” shooting, according to authorities and published reports.
Soyege was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Naomi Soyege, Soyege’s sister, said although her brother had struggled in recent years, he had started putting his life back together.
“He wasn’t giving up, no matter what,” said Naomi.
Naomi said when her brother was 17 years old, Soyege dropped out of high school and was arrested for drug possession. Court records show he was sentenced to three years in state prison. He was on parole at the time of his death, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
“He was just all over the place,” said Naomi.
Naomi said after Soyege got out of jail, he enrolled in a GED course at Truman College near his family’s home. Naomi said her brother planned to take the test this year.
“He was close to being done,” said Naomi, adding that her brother was also actively looking for a job. Naomi said Soyege was close to his family and friends, and could “put a smile on everyone’s face.”
“He was a good person, with a good heart,” said Naomi.
