CHICAGO — Jonathan Green, 34, was found shot to death in North Lawndale on Tuesday, police said.
Green was a "loving person" who had many friends, said his aunt, Jackie Green, and he had suffered when his cousin, Kortney Blakes, was killed in a shooting in Garfield Park in 2015. But it was Jonathan's wife and seven children — including a 15-month-old boy who has epilepsy — he was most dedicated to.
Jonathan often shared photos of his children on Facebook: In one, he kisses his son's cheek next to a purple ribbon and an epilepsy awareness message. In another, he grins with his daughter and son, his arm wrapped around the boy.
Jonathan was getting them food when he was gunned down, his aunt said.
At 11 a.m., officers responding to a call of shots fired found the man lying in the street in the 1100 block of South Karlov Avenue, police said. The man had been shot in his head and torso and was unresponsive.
Green, of the 4200 block of West Grenshaw Street, was pronounced dead at 11:36 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
Jonathan knew how dangerous the streets were, Jackie said, and his cousin's slaying underscored that danger. But he had a morning routine and was walking to get breakfast buns and cereal for his children when he was shot just a block from his home, Jackie said. His family thinks the shooting stemmed from a case of mistaken identity.
"He loved his children and gave them whatever they wanted to keep them happy," Jackie said. "All Jonathan wanted in life was to be a good husband and father to his family."
Jonathan loved basketball and had been a tax preparer for nine years, making friends who cared for him deeply through his career, Jackie said.
"Dancing was not his forte, but he will do a step or two to keep everyone laughing," Jackie said. "Jonathan was a very friendly and loving person who everybody love[d] to be around. He was also a husband and loving father who always put his family first."
No one is in custody.
