Chicago has hit a dismal milestone. A late night shooting has marked the city’s 500th homicide for the year.
40-year-old Nathaniel Jackson was shot on the city’s West Side around 9 p.m Thursday. He was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. The victim’s family has confirmed his identity.
Chicago Police say Jackson was shot in the head while standing outside a convenience store at Augusta Boulevard and Lavergne Avenue in the Austin Neighborhood.
One relative told WGN that Jackson had recently been released from jail and was living with a friend on the West Side.
Circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. No arrests have been made.
2008 was the last time Chicago reached 500 homicides.
The Chicago Police Dept released a statement disputing the number saying, “The Department’s official year to date 2012 murder total for the city of Chicago currently stands at 499, with one death investigation still pending classification. ”