Kamaal Burton / Photo Photo from Facebook
BY KALEY FOWLER
Homicide Watch Chicago
Kamaal Burton was a “walking radio” who announced his presence by blasting hip-hop music, his cousin said.
“We always heard Kamaal coming because he had his music blaring,” said Marquette Hearon. “He was always listening to hip-hop, especially King Louie — he was Kamaal’s favorite.”
Hip-hop music no longer fills the Burton’s home as the 18-year-old was fatally shot Sept. 18 in the Altgeld Gardens community.
Authorities said Burton was walking with another male near East 133rd Street and South Langley Avenue when two gunmen walked up and opened fire about 9:40 p.m. that night.
Burton, of the 13300 block of South Langley Avenue, was shot in the chest and died at the scene, authorities said.
Burton lived with his grandmother his entire life, said his cousin Cortni Turner.
“She had guardianship over him since he was two years old and they were extremely close,” Turner said. “He would do anything for his granny, and his death has been really hard on her because she raised him.”
Another cousin, Moriah Quinn, described Burton as a kind person.
“I don’t’ think I’ve ever seen Kamaal angry in the whole 18 years he’s been living,” Turner said. “There were no dull moments with Kamaal. Every time I think about him all I can do is smile.”
Hearon said Burton graduated in 2013 from Urban Prep Academy and said his cousin was accepted to multiple universities.
Burton loved playing all sports and was on the baseball team at Urban Prep, said Hearon, who added that Burton also enjoyed bowling and basketball — especially the Chicago Bulls.
Burton enrolled at Illinois State University, where he studied business and hoped to start the university’s real estate program in October, Hearon said.
However, another friend, who asked to remain anonymous, said Burton did not plan to return to ISU this year.
“He liked school more for the social aspect. He would go to class but he didn’t love it,” the friend said. “He stayed in Chicago instead of coming back to ISU for a second year. He felt more at home in the streets than he did at school”
Following the shooting, Say No More Entertainment hosted a remembrance ceremony on the ISU campus that drew about 50 people, the friend said.