Tyrone Solsberry / Family Photo
BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor
More than a year has passed since Tyrone Solsberry was shot dead on a South Shore street. His family is still searching for answers and waiting for police to catch his killer.
Solsberry, 39, was shot about 6:15 p.m. Jan. 10, 2013, in the 2000 block of East 71st Street, authorities said. Solsberry, of the 7000 block of South Paxton Avenue, died at the scene.
A second man was shot in the leg and seriously wounded, police said.
Solsberry grew up in the Robert Taylor Homes with his two brothers, but the family later moved to the Roseland community and he attended Julian High School, said his brother, Willie Solsberry.
“He didn’t care much for high school, but he always had dreams about being successful and doing things,” Willie Solsberry said.
Tyrone Solsberry had two daughters and a son, Willie Solsberry said. Both of Tyrone Solsberry’s brothers moved to Texas and he cared for his sick mother, who died of cancer in April 2012.
“He was very helpful,” Willie Solsberry said. “He didn’t mind helping people.
“He was willing to fight to make sure [his sick mother] got what she needed. He would give his last dime.”
Tyrone Solsberry loved music and enjoyed talking to people, his brother said.
“I really had a lot of respect for him,” Willie Solsberry said. “I loved him with all my heart.”
Willie Solsberry said that on the day of the shooting his brother was walking to a store to get cigarettes when he broke up a fight between a young couple. The man responded by threatening to kill Tyrone Solsberry.
A short time later, a gunman came around the corner and opened fire — striking Tyrone Solsberry in the chest. It was unclear if the gunman was the man who threatened Tyrone Solsberry earlier or an unrelated shooter who opened fire on a drug dealer, Willie Solsberry said.
“From all accounts, my brother was a victim of circumstance,” Willie Solsberry said. “He was just trying to live his life.”
Willie Solsberry noted his brother was killed about three weeks before Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl shot dead less than a mile from President Barack Obama’s Kenwood home after performing as a majorette days earlier at Obama’s inauguration celebrations.
Michael Ward and Kenneth Williams were charged with murder Feb. 11, 2013, for Hadiya’s death and are awaiting trail.
“[Police] solved hers in two weeks. I understand that police know how to find out who killed him. In her case, they put pressure on the community … until they gave up the person.”
Area Central detectives continue to investigate Solsberry’s murder.