CANARYVILLE — Donald McNamara was a fixture of his South Wallace Street block, and could be seen sitting outside his two-flat wearing a cowboy hat and talking to passersby, neighbors said.
After the 86-year-old man was found shot dead in his apartment last week, the neighborhood and community activists are hoping a review of nearby surveillance footage will help bring closure to a puzzling crime.
McNamara was found inside his home in the 4100 block of South Wallace Street Thursday evening with a gunshot wound in his head, police said. He was taken to Northwestern Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police are now investigating the incident as a homicide after first opening a death investigation, according to the department.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim," Ald. Patrick D. Thompson (11th) said in a statement. "We want to remind the community to be conscious of your surroundings while the investigation continues. Our office is working closely with law enforcement to ensure the community is safe and the perpetrator is brought to justice."
Neighbors said they were shocked to learn of the crime.
"It's a mystery," said one neighbor of McNamara who asked not to be identified. "I can't imagine someone who would want to hurt him."
Anti-violence activist Andrew Holmes said McNamara was a father of four adult children. He said detectives are looking for any surveillance cameras in the area that could lead to clues to the man's killer. Holmes' group has also offered a $1,000 reward for information in the case.
Friends and family are left mourning a friendly and familiar face.
"He was just always a nice guy," the neighbor said. "I'm hoping they figure it out."
