CHICAGO — Before he was shot and killed last week, Mike Walton was saving money to enroll in college and work toward a construction management degree.
Now, his family is trying to raise enough money to bury the 31-year-old.
Walton, a father of three, was shot around 2:45 a.m. Friday in West Pullman. Police found Walton in the 100 block of East 117th Street with a gunshot wound in his head. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
No arrests have been made in the case, as the investigation is ongoing, according to Officer Beri Lemmon, a Chicago Police spokeswoman. Police said Walton is not a documented gang member.
On top of dealing with their grief, Walton's family is trying to figure out a way to give him a proper burial. The family has asked the public for help, setting up a GoFundMe page to assist in paying for Walton's burial.
"We've never had a tragedy like this," said Michelle Moore, Walton's sister. "This is very hard for us."
Walton was working at Home Depot and just received his plumbing certificate, the family said.
He wanted to gain custody of his children, Moore said, and so Walton decided to better his financial situation. He had plans to enroll in Kennedy King College this fall.
"He was a great person," Moore said. "He had integrity. He loved his kids and everyone loved him."
Moore and her siblings were at a chapel Tuesday trying to make arrangements for Walton's burial. The family is struggling to cover the costs, she said. Walton, who lived in South Shore, was uninsured.
So far, the GoFundMe has raised nearly $1,000 since it went live Saturday. The family has capped the fundraiser at $5,000. Any funds left over from Walton's burial will go to his three kids, who Moore said are traumatized by the loss of their father.
"The oldest is only 6," Moore said. "It hasn't really hit home yet."
Funeral arrangements have not yet been set, Moore said.
To help the family of Mike Walton, click here.
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