Man Found Shot In Head After Avalon Park Fire
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A fire in Avalon Park led to the discovery of the body of a man who had been shot in the head.
Detectives were searching for evidence and interviewing relatives and potential witnesses after finding the body of a 56-year-old man in a building in the 8000 block of South Stony Island Avenue. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office has identified the victim as Edward McArthur Jr.
Police were classifying the case as a death investigation as of Tuesday morning.
Firefighters were called to the scene around 6:30 a.m. Once the fire was extinguished, McArthur's body was found inside the building. Police said he had been shot once in the head.
Those who knew him said his death is a big loss for the community.
"He was a father figure to a lot of our guys who didn't have fathers, and he was a great man, and the community, we're going to miss him. He did a lot for the community," Dion Jones said.
Darrell Smith said it was horrible to learn of his McArthur's death.
"You have never met a gentle warm soul like this man, here. I mean he's just unspeakable about his kindness, and his compassion for people," he said.
Relatives and friends were gathering Tuesday morning to comfort each other, and hoping to get some answers about what happened.
Area South detectives were investigating. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday.