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Man Fatally Shot Near UChicago Campus Thursday Night Was A Young Teacher Assistant

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jun 9, 2017 9:51PM

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The 6200 block of South Ingleside Avenue, via Google.

A man was found shot dead near the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus Thursday night. The man, identified as 23-year-old Xavier Joy, was a former college football player with teaching experience, on the verge of turning 24, his mother told reporters.

Joy was shot multiple times at about 10 p.m. Thursday in an apartment building parking lot in the 6200 block of South Ingleside Avenue in Woodlawn, according to authorities. Nykea Pippion-McGriff, Joy's mother, told ABC7 that Joy had worked as a teaching assistant with Chicago and Evanston public schools after studying at Morehouse College, where he also played football. Joy was a graduate of Whitney Young Magnet High School.

A vigil for Joy is being held at Fiske Elementary School at 6145 S. Ingleside Ave., at 5 p.m. tonight.

Joy's father, Ra Joy, released this statement Friday on his shooting, saying:

"Words cannot express the devastating pain and loss we are all feeling right now. Our oldest son, Xavier Joy, was shot and killed last night in Chicago. Our family is heartbroken by this tragic and senseless shooting. Xavier was an incredibly creative, funny, and smart young man. We hope and pray for an end to the violence that has impacted our family and so many others in our city. Our entire family is grateful for all those who have extended their love and condolences during this very difficult time. We ask for privacy as we grieve and make funeral arrangements."

Police are investigating the shooting, which could have been related to a robbery, but no one is in custody.