Chicago man charged with murder in shooting of violence-prevention leader Andre Thomas
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The gist
Alex D. Morris, 54, of Chicago, was charged with first-degree murder in the Halloween-night shooting of Andre Thomas, 57.
Thomas led a violence-prevention agency; his death hit the communities he served.
Background
Andre Thomas, 57, of Matteson, was CEO and executive director of Integrity & Fidelity, an agency described as a leader in violence prevention and intervention. He was found shot at the agency's own office in Chicago Heights on Halloween night. Alex D. Morris, 54, of Chicago, was arrested about a week later and charged with first-degree murder. The case drew attention because Thomas was known locally for violence-prevention work, and faith leaders and leaders of the victims' violence-prevention organization planned emergency meetings to assess how to help people affected by the shooting.
How it unfolded
- Oct 31, 2026Andre Thomas, 57, of Matteson, was found with multiple gunshot wounds at the office of Integrity & Fidelity, the agency he led. Police were called to the 400 block of W. 14th Street at 9:24 p.m. after a gunshot detection alert; he was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.
- Nov 1, 2026As of Sunday evening, no one had been arrested in the shooting.
- Nov 6, 2026Chicago Heights Police and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, with help from the Chicago Police Department, arrested Alex D. Morris, 54, of Chicago without incident near 95th Street and Perry Avenue in Chicago.
- Nov 8, 2026The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved first-degree murder charges against Morris. Separately, human remains were found in a garbage can near Chicago Road and Elmwood Drive after officers responded about 11:50 a.m. to a report of suspicious circumstances.
- Nov 9, 2026Police said the first week of the investigation led to multiple persons of interest, including Morris.
- Nov 10, 2026Morris was scheduled to appear in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Sixth Municipal District in Markham, for a detention hearing. Police also sought help identifying the owner of a "Nickelodeon" Member's Only jacket, size XXL, found with the human remains.
Key terms
- first-degree murder
- The most serious category of murder in many US jurisdictions, typically involving premeditation or especially heinous circumstances.
- Alderman
- A member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded on English law.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Chicago Alderman David Moore called Thomas' death "an unimaginable loss, not only for his family, friends, and colleagues, but also for the countless individuals and communities whose lives he touched."
- Support
- The Crisis Center for South Suburbia described Thomas' death as a "heartbreaking reminder" of the impact of violence on communities.
- Caution
- Chicago Heights police said information on additional persons of interest and investigation specifics will not be released while the investigation is ongoing.