Friends: Dearies Arnold would ‘give you the shirt off his back’

Arnold Dearies memorial / Photo by Michael Lansu
Dearies Arnold memorial / Photo by Michael Lansu

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Dearies Arnold was a well dressed man who would literally give people the shirt off his back, friends said.

Arnold, 26, was in the 7100 block of South Green Street about 7 p.m. Monday when a white car drove past and someone inside opened fire, authorities said. He was struck multiple times and died from his injuries less than an hour later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

On Tuesday, friends gathered at the intersection of 72nd and Green streets to construct a memorial and share memories.

Arnold Dearies memorial / Photo by Michael Lansu
Dearies Arnold memorial / Photo by Michael Lansu

He was a nice dude,” said area resident Bud. “He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Friends said the former Robeson High School student was focused on taking care of his children.

He would give you his last,” said Sedrick Monroe. “If you asked for $20, he’d give it to you.”

Friends said Arnold grew up in the area and described him as a well-dressed man who would literally give people the shirt off his back.

Dearies Arnold / Submitted photo

Dearies Arnold / Submitted photo

One friend, Robert, recalled a time when he was dirty and Arnold gave him a clean white T-shirt.

Police said Arnold was a documented gang member, but friends denied that claim and called him a “good kid.”

After the shooting, the car drove away north on Green Street, police said. Nobody has been charged for the murder as Area Central detectives continue to investigate.

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