Police release photo of car used in the killing of activist Willie Cooper last month in Princeton Park

Jeff Mayes — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 08:57:41 -0500

Investigators say this black, four-door Audi sedan was used in the fatal shooting of 58-year-old Willie Cooper on July 15 on the Far South Side. | Chicago Police

Detectives seeking fresh leads have released new details about a July shooting in the Far South Side Princeton Park neighborhood that killed 58-year-old William Everett Cooper II.

On Friday night, Chicago Police released a photo of a black, four-door Audi with tinted windows that was used in the killing of Cooper.

Cooper, known as "Willie," was outside about 4:15 p.m. July 15 when two people got out of the Audi in the 100 block of West 95th Street near “Lilydale Outreach Workers for a Better Community,” a nonprofit organization Cooper ran, authorities said.

They fired shots with an AR-15 assault rifle, got back into the car, and drove away south on LaSalle Street, police said.

Cooper, who lived in the Fernwood neighborhood, was shot in his mouth and torso, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

William Everett Cooper II | Facebook

Known as the Mayor of 95th Street, Cooper founded Lilydale to help teens find jobs and help ex-offenders return to society. He also worked with the Cure Violence group.

“Willie was one of my first violence interrupters. He helped mediate over 50 conflicts that could have turned deadly while he worked with me. Everybody loved him and respected his office,” Tio Hardiman, former director of Ceasefire Illinois, told the Chicago Sun-Times.

No one was in custody. Area South detectives asked anyone with information to call (312) 747-8271.

--Chicago Sun-Times Wire and Homicide Watch Chicago

'Mayor of 95th Street' Willie Cooper gunned down with assault rifle near his non-profit in Princeton Park

Jeff Mayes — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:29:17 -0500

Community activist William Everett Cooper II was shot to death Saturday afternoon in the Far South Side Princeton Park neighborhood.

William 'Willie' Cooper | Facebook

Cooper, known to friends as "Willie," was outside about 4:15 p.m. in the 100 block of West 95th Street near “Lilydale Outreach Workers for a Better Community,” a nonprofit organization he ran, authorities said.

A car approached and someone inside called to Cooper, then opened fire with an AR-15 assault rifle, authorities said.

Cooper, who lived in the Fernwood neighborhood, was shot in the mouth and torso, and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Known as the Mayor of 95th Street, Cooper founded Lilydale to help teens find jobs and help ex-offenders return to society. He also worked with the Cure Violence group.

No one was in custody.

Cook County Cmmissioner Stanley Moore wrote on Facebook: "I'm at a loss for words, Willie Cooper was my friend, he was a socially conscious leader in the community. He spoke up for the people who had no voice. He will be truly missed but never forgotten. Those who knew him affectionately referred to him as Big Will. The community has to wake up and speak up."

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, July 22, at St. John Baptist Church, 211 E. 115th St. The wake will begin at 10 a.m., the fundeal service at 11 a.m.

--Chicago Sun-Times Wire and Homicide Watch Chicago

William Everett Cooper II | Homicide Watch Chicago

Police release photo of car used in the killing of activist Willie Cooper last month in Princeton Park

'Mayor of 95th Street' Willie Cooper gunned down with assault rifle near his non-profit in Princeton Park