CEO of violence prevention group fatally gunned down in Chicago Heights office

Someone fatally shot the CEO of a violence prevention group who worked in violence-plagued areas of Chicago on Saturday night in suburban Chicago Heights, officials said.

Andre Thomas, 57, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the 400 block of West 14th Street around 9:25 p.m. Saturday, Chicago Heights police and the Cook County medical examiner's office said.

Thomas, of Matteson, was taken to an area hospital where he died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the medical examiner's office, which ruled his death a homicide.

Thomas' relatives declined to comment when reached by a Sun-Times reporter on Monday.

Thomas was the CEO and Executive Director of Integrity & Fidelity and was shot at his office, according to a statement from Chicago's 17th Ward Ald. David Moore.

"This is an unimaginable loss, not only for his family, friends, and colleagues, but also for the countless individuals and communities whose lives he touched through his leadership, commitment, and service," Moore wrote on Facebook. "My heart is heavy as I struggle to process this senseless act of violence."

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Thomas' organization works in parts of the city and south suburbs most impacted by gun violence. In a previous interview with the Sun-Times, Thomas expressed that investing money in impacted communities would be key in reducing gun violence.

“No one with a 40-hour job is going out and shooting and killing,” Thomas told the Sun-Times.