Oct 13, 2007 8:41 pm US/Central
Police Question Person In Murder Of Good Samaritan
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Chicago police are talking to a person of interest in the murder of a good Samaritan. The news comes as friends and family members said a final goodbye to Ronald Heard Jr. Saturday.
"He was an awesome young man," said assistant pastor James Wrightsell Jr. "He was a mighty young man, he was a young man who has some DNA of protecting and serving those that are helpless."
Ronald Heard Jr was shot to death one week ago coming to the aid of someone in trouble. He came from a family of police officers (his father and uncle are both policemen) and Saturday evening authorities confirm they are questioning a person of interest in his death.
Among those attending funeral services Saturday was understandably a fair number of Chicago police officers. Heard was 23 years-old, coming to the aid of someone, when he was shot at 4 a.m. while, authorities say, Heard and a cousin were at the drive-thru of a south side White Castle.
They were reportedly approached by a man selling marijuana. The two waved him off, but the man then approached a woman in a nearby car, eventually grabbing her through the window. As Heard witnessed this and came running to her aid, the suspect shot him five times.
"It's been tough on the whole family, but as you can see, they have a lot of support," said John Griffin, Heard's uncle.
Witnesses say the suspect jumped into a car and drove off. Heard's family, with strong ties to the police department, has confidence the perpetrator will be found.
"We have every faith that they are going to get them," Griffin said. "These guys have been out working really hard; the police department's done a good job."
Ronald Heard Jr. was the father of twin boys about to turn one. He had just been promoted to an assistant bank manager and was to receive his business degree in December – he was a man whose selfless actions mourners remembered Saturday.
"He was a good student," Griffin said. "He was a good worker, he took the opportunity that his father and mother gave him and was making the best of it."
Witnesses say the suspect was driving a white Kia Sportage with a dark tire rack in the back and a luggage rack on the roof. The passenger door may have also been discolored.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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