A gunman killed three people in and around Chicago before being gunned down Saturday near Northwestern University, reports CBS Chicago.
The shooting spree stretched from the Southside of Chicago all the way to Evanston.
Police identified the first person killed as Yiran Fan, a fourth year Ph.D. student at the Booth School of Business and the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics.
“His family in China has now been notified of this painful news, and University representatives are in contact to offer support as they mourn his death,” the University of Chicago said in a statement.
Police say Jason Nightengale is suspected of entering an apartment building’s garage and shot Fan in his car. It’s not known what set off the killing spree.
“This sudden and senseless loss of life causes us indescribable sorrow. In the days ahead we will come together as a community to mourn, and to lift up fellow members of our community in this difficult and very sad time. Please join us in wishing consolation and healing for our student’s loved ones.”
“He was a great, nice person and it is really sad that we lost him,” said Fan’s friend Xuan Yu to ABC7. “He was very smart, very talented, quick learner; straight-A student. I would call him an overachiever,”
Authorities say after Nightengale killed Fan, he went to another apartment one block away and began firing shots, striking two woman, including doorwoman Aisha Johnson, 46, who died in the gunfire.
“I felt numb right there, so I knew, I just felt like she was gone then as soon as I got the call,” Ronald Johnson, the victim’s brother said to ABC7, said about the moment he heard about the incident. Aisha is a mother of two.
“He didn’t have the right to take any of those people’s lives; to do whatever he did,” Demetrius Johnson, her cousin, said to CBS Chicago. “Those families are grieving just like we’re grieving, and I send my prayers and condolences out to them as well, because I know it’s not easy to lose somebody to something senseless and tragic as this. She was special. She was special. She didn’t deserve this.”
Nightengale is also accused of shooting a 77-year-old woman who is in critical condition after being shot in the head while retrieving her mail.
Authorities say Nightengale escaped in a stolen vehicle to a convenience store where they say he killed 20-year-old Anthony “A.J.” Faulkner Jr and critically wounding an 81-year old woman.
“Anthony was kind, loving, funny,” said Faulkner’s cousin, Shapearl Wells. “Our hearts are broken. His family is devastated,” Wells said to CBS2.
The killing spree ended when police caught up to Nightengale and killed him in Evanston after he shot and wounded a 15-year old girl.
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