A double homicide investigation is underway after 51-year-old Barbara Deer and her 23-year-old son, Kaleb Deer, were found shot inside their North Lawndale home Tuesday evening. Police recovered a weapon at the scene and are treating the deaths as homicides; no arrests have been announced. Neighbors reported unusual activity, and community leaders described the family as long-time local volunteers. Authorities continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Widow and Son of Late Cook County Commissioner Found Shot to Death in North Lawndale Home
Widow, son of late Chicago commissioner found shot dead inside home in suspected homicide: reports
A prominent Chicago family is at the center of a homicide investigation after 51-year-old Barbara Deer and her 23-year-old son, Kaleb Deer, were found shot to death inside their North Lawndale home on Tuesday evening.
Chicago police say the widow and son of a late Cook County commissioner were found shot to death Tuesday inside a West Side home.(iStock)
Police say officers responded just before 6 p.m. local time and discovered both victims inside the West Side residence. According to local media, Barbara Deer suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, while Kaleb Deer was shot in the head.
This graphic, taken from the Fox News Channel on Nov. 12, showcases a dropoff in Chicago crime statistics since the dawn of Operation Midway Blitz.
Investigation Underway
Authorities recovered a weapon at the scene, though details about the firearm have not been released. The Cook County medical examiner and Chicago Police Department are treating the deaths as homicides. No arrests have been announced as detectives continue to investigate.
Authorities have not yet released any suspect information or arrests.
Community Response
Neighbor and community leader Rev. Chris Griffin told WGN-TV there had been unusual activity around the house before police arrived. He said someone had called to request a welfare check and described the scene when neighbors arrived: both doors were locked and the family dog was outside barking for an extended period.
"We didn’t know what was going on. When we got here, the house was locked, both doors were closed, their dog was outside barking, which is not normal. The dog had been out for over an hour, and that was a little bit of a red flag," Rev. Chris Griffin said.
Barbara Deer was a North Lawndale native who remained active in community volunteer work and neighborhood committees. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Dennis Deer, who served as a Cook County commissioner and died in 2024 following a double lung transplant.
Officials have not released information about a suspect or motive. Authorities asked anyone with information to contact Chicago Police. The investigation is ongoing.
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