Young woman killed near elevator in Belle Shore apartment building in Edgewater; young man found dead in same building a day later
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 23-year-old woman was days from graduating from college when she was ambushed outside an elevator in her own Edgewater apartment building and shot and killed this week.
Just hours later, police said they also found a man dead inside the same building. Police late Tuesday were trying to determine whether the two deaths within 24 hours in one building are connected.
As CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reported on Tuesday, the family of Brittany Kinlow said she had just finished finals. Kinlow's family was still in shock – telling us her murder was too fresh for them to speak on camera as they mourn a young woman with a bright future cut short.
Kinlow was a member of the jazz ensemble at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a music teacher at the School of Rock in Park Ridge.
Family told us Kinlow had just wrapped up finals Monday afternoon and was leaving her home at the Belle Shore Apartments, at 1062 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., to head to work.
Kinlow's family was told she ran into another man from her apartment building. After a brief exchange, as she walked away near the first-floor elevator, she was shot.
Police said she was found at 1:22 p.m. Monday.
Neighbors said they heard the gunshots from upstairs, but didn't realize it was so close.
"My bed is right by the window, and I did hear what I assumed was a gunshot," said neighbor Jennifer Culajay.
Family got a call from Kinlow's employer. She never made it to work.
And then on early Tuesday morning, a 22-year-old man was found dead inside the same apartment building. Police returned Tuesday to execute a search warrant.
Neighbors are now concerned, with two investigations so close to home in such a short time.
"I really got worried, because I have a teenager – and sometimes he's here with me on the weekends, and I leave him here for a little while," said neighbor Hugo Torres. "I got scared. I honestly got scared."
"I had no idea about any of this, so it's super shocking," added Culajay.
Kinlow was set to graduate in just days. Her family says they'll remember her positive spirit, talent, and bright smile.
Both family said police said whether the two deaths at the Belle Shore are connected is still under investigation – only saying no one is in custody at this time.
