Family of Abnerd Joseph shares their intense pain and impatience, calling for criminal charges in his shooting death at a Loop condo building nearly one year ago

Unarmed high school assistant principal was killed during an emotional crisis - building staff and an armed vigilante resident decided to handle it themselves, with fatal consequences

CHICAGO (August 26, 2024) — Pain and impatience are a brutal combination. Pain from the deep grief of losing a vibrant young man with a bright future and a big heart. Impatience waiting for the person who needlessly took his life to be held accountable. It’s been almost one year since Abnerd Joseph, a beloved assistant principal at Chicago’s Intrinsic School, was shot and killed in the hallway of his building in Chicago’s Loop. Police reports state Joseph was wearing only a bathrobe, boxers, and socks and was in emotional distress when a fellow resident shot him. His family, friends, students and colleagues remain in a state of deep grief – as well as frustration – that the path to criminal justice has taken more than eleven months.

Abnerd’s family is emphatically urging the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to complete their investigation and file criminal charges in this matter.  A police report says the gunman originally stated he fired shots in self-defense, even though Abnerd Joseph was unarmed, and witnesses explain that the gunman proactively sought out a confrontation with Abnerd on the 48^th floor, while both men lived on the 29^th floor.

Romanucci & Blandin filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of Abnerd’s family in May 2024. That complaint provided details on the tragedy.  Building staff at The Legacy at Millennium Park building at 60 E. Monroe Street in Chicago freely allowed an armed resident to patrol the hallways of the luxury condo building and act as a vigilante on the night of September 14, 2023, when that resident sought out Abnerd Joseph instead of waiting for law enforcement to arrive and utilize their training in de-escalation and crisis intervention. The vigilante resident shot at Abnerd seven times, striking him six times and killing him.  Abnerd’s death at 32 years old was truly senseless and preventable, and the building staff responsible for responding to resident emergencies failed in their duty to protect residents and involve authorities when needed. Their negligent decisions violated policies and common sense and prevented Abnerd from getting the appropriate help and care he deserved.

Abnerd was an enthusiastic high school assistant principal known for his tireless energy and commitment to mentoring high school students around the country, including at Intrinsic High School in Chicago, where he worked. Family members say Abnerd had ADHD and had recently received a new prescription medicine that could have given him anxiety. Before he was shot and killed, witnesses say Abnerd was in emotional distress and was in the hallway of his building, knocking on doors asking for help, saying he was concerned for his safety.  It was during that time that building staff was made aware of Abnerd’s distress, and instead of allowing law enforcement to help Abnerd, the staff members accompanied the defendant gunman to track Abnerd and “handle” the situation with tragic consequences.

The lawsuit was filed on May 14, 2024, in the Circuit Court of Cook County Department, Law Division.  Romanucci & Blandin Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci and Partner Jason J. Friedl represent the plaintiff. 

The plaintiff is Delbert J. Charles as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Abnerd Joseph. The defendants are Sudler and Company d/b/a Sudler Property Management; The Legacy at Millenium Park Condominium Association, and Garrett Mark Smith.

“It is impossible to understand the level of grief that the Abnerd Joseph family feels, because not only do they continue to mourn the loss of this high-potential young man, but their grief is overlaid with a firm belief that he did not need to die, that something very wrong went down in that building and that Abnerd should still be alive. He needed and deserved help that night and got vigilante justice instead,” said Romanucci & Blandin Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci.  

“Abnerd Joseph was a very good man who devoted his life to inspiring kids and being a family member and friend. The loss here remains immense, and the frustration is growing that after eleven months of waiting for answers on criminal charges are sparse. We call on Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx to do the right thing before she leaves office and ensure criminal charges are filed in this case,” said Romanucci & Blandin Partner Jason J. Friedl.

“Why has the person who shot someone who cared so much not been charged in 347 days?  Why does it seem that my brother’s life is being forgotten or held to a lesser standard than others? Why can’t we get answers? Why can’t we get justice? Why can’t Abnerd get justice? I’m tired of why.  Our mother is tired of why.  My brothers and sisters are tired of why,” said Jay Charles, brother of Abnerd Joseph.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death through impact litigation. For more than 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars or record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors distinguish our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation, and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We differ from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. Our clients’ experiences often inspire us to commit resources to transforming lives and communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit: www.rblaw.net.