3 days ago
Teen shot dead in alley three days after graduation
CHICAGO (WGN) — A recent graduate of a high school in the city's Auburn Gresham neighborhood was gunned down in an alley in West Pullman early Sunday, according to police.
De'Angelo Miles, 17, a graduate of Hansberry College Prep., was found in an alley on the 11900 block of South Wallace Street with a gunshot to his head shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday. Police said a witness found the teen in the alley after hearing gunshots. Efforts by responding officials to save him were not successful.
'Our hearts are heavy as we grieve his passing. We extend our deepest sympathies and offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss,' school officials said in a statement posted to social media.
The statement confirmed that Miles was a recent graduate of the school and added that counselors were made available Monday to provide support and assistance to anyone in need.
Hansberry College Prep held commencement last Thursday. Miles had plans to join the US Navy this summer.
'I would say these last 24 hours have been shock, anger, grief,' said school principal Kashawndra Wilson. 'Every grade level has been impacted by this. … He was literally a light and a leader in the building.'
Wilson described Miles as a charismatic and a warm-hearted young man who was well-loved.
'I always told him he was destined to be on someone's TV,' she said. 'He was the one that would make the TikTok's for our school (and) would do the interviews of different students for the school.'
Friends told WGN that Miles funny, fun-loving and didn't cause problems.
'He was just joy to be around at all times,' said classmate Sirmetrict Scott.
In the wake of his friend's death, Scott shared a message to the youth in the city: 'Be safe. Know who y'all going outside with. … Be outside with people who want to see better for you and who want to see you make it home.'
Wilson, the principal, said the school plans to honor Miles next week with a memorial and balloon release.
'This is a time when we have to love on our babies,' she said. 'We have to ensure sure that they have the support they need.'
No one was in custody in connection with the crime as of Monday afternoon, police said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
