Lasiah Palmer, a 15-year-old with a curfew, lived in a West Side neighborhood. His family aimed to keep him safe from the prevalent violence. He spent Tuesday evening at home, savoring the summer air from his back porch. “That should not have been a problem,” stated his cousin, Billeka Palmer, following the discovery of his fatal injury at home.
Known as “Spyda” among his loved ones, Lasiah was fatally shot on a Wednesday morning on a third-floor patio. He was discovered unconscious and bleeding. Shortly after, officers responded to a report of a shooting incident on West Jackson Boulevard. Lasiah was found with a gunshot to his head, and paramedics rushed him to Stroger Hospital, where he was declared dead.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office acknowledged the incident as a homicide but had not formally released Lasiah’s identity by Thursday. Initial police investigations revealed that Lasiah had come home with two friends after a swim. He had showered and rested, possibly watching TV in his mother’s room. His mother, upon arriving home before 1 a.m., found him on the porch in a pool of blood. Witnesses recalled hearing a loud noise and disturbance prior to his discovery.
Billeka Palmer described Lasiah as quiet and introverted, favoring small groups over crowds but enjoying time with his mom and younger brother. He enjoyed sports and games and anticipated starting high school at Rowe-Clark Math and Science Academy. The last family gathering he attended was Mother’s Day, two months before his death.
Billeka emphasized that Lasiah’s mom diligently worked to protect her sons from street culture. Despite efforts, Austin leads the city in homicides, with 18 reported so far this year. Chicago’s homicide count has reached 233 in 2026. Billeka highlights that Lasiah’s upbringing was a concerted effort to prevent him from becoming a statistic.
Palmer’s mother, who did not comment, faced devastation from the tragedy. Billeka noted how the incident brought home the reality for Black children, emphasizing their inherent innocence contrary to cultural stereotypes.
The family initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, raising over $3,400. Diamond Dortch, a cousin, described Lasiah as a beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend who left a lasting impact. His life ended prematurely, leaving family and community members grappling with the loss.
Detectives from Harrison Area (Area 4) continue to investigate the shooting with no new updates available.
Leave a Reply