Crime & Law
Wife, Son of Late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer Found Fatally Shot Tuesday
(WTTW News)
The widow and son of deceased Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer were fatally shot Tuesday evening inside a West Side home.
Barbara Deer, 51, and her son Kaleb Deer, 23, were identified by Cook County Medical Examiner records as the two people killed at a Homan Square home.
According to the Chicago Police Department, the pair were found unresponsive inside a residence in the 3500 block of West Arthington Street just before 6 p.m. Barbara Deer was shot three times in the chest and Kale was shot once in the head, police said.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said a weapon was recovered at the scene.
Dennis Deer passed away at the age of 51, a year after he underwent a double lung transplant procedure.
He was appointed to the board in 2017 following the death of his predecessor and friend Robert Steele. He was then elected to the seat the following year.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued a statement Wednesday extending her “deepest condolences to all who loved” the Deers following “another heartbreaking and unimaginable loss.”
“The Deer family has long been well known in the community for their compassion and steadfast commitment to others,” Preckwinkle said. “Their presence and service touched countless lives. There are no words that can make sense of such pain, but I hope the surviving family members find strength in the love that surrounds them.”
Police said Area Four detectives are investigating Tuesday’s shooting.
