Family of Chicago assistant principal files wrongful death lawsuit following fatal apartment shooting
CHICAGO — New details are emerging Wednesday in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by a family of an assistant high school principal who was shot and killed inside his Loop apartment building.
Family members of 32-year-old Abnerd Joseph filed the lawsuit against multiple entities, including the building where Joseph lived at 60 East Monroe Street, the property company, the security company involved, and the person — also a resident in the building — who pulled the trigger that night.
Joseph was an assistant principal at Intrinsic School in the Loop.
On the night of September 14, Joseph was allegedly experiencing emotional distress and was knocking on doors in his apartment complex asking for help, according to family members who spoke Wednesday.
It’s alleged that two of the building’s tenants and a security guard confronted Joseph on the 48th floor, with one of those tenants shooting Joseph seven times.
Man fatally shot after altercation in Loop apartment complex, man in custody
His brother and sister were among those who spoke Wednesday about how this has shattered their family.
“We went to his school this morning and the kids painted a mural of him inside the school. That’s how much they cherished this man. This man had no hatred for no one. He would give you the clothes off his back,” said Bryan Bienaime, Joseph’s brother.
The family says Joseph suffered from ADHD and had recently changed medication, which could have left him with anxiety — potentially leading to that state of emotional distress prior to his death.
A police report states the resident who shot Joseph did so in self-defense, but Joseph was allegedly not armed and was dressed only in a bathrobe, boxers and socks at the time.
His loved ones are urging the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to complete their investigation and file criminal charges in this case.
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