Chicago man accused in fatal shooting of violence interrupter Andre Thomas in Chicago Heights

A Chicago man is behind bars Monday facing murder charges in the death of violence interrupter Andre Thomas who was gunned down at his Chicago Heights office on Halloween.

Alex D. Morris, 54 and of Chicago, has been charged with first-degree murder and was expected to appear for a detention hearing Tuesday at the Markham Courthouse, Chicago Heights police said in a statement.

Morris was arrested Friday without incident in the area of 95th Street and Perry Avenue in Chicago, according to the statement.

The first week of investigations yielded the identification of multiple persons of interest, including Morris, according to the statement.

Information regarding those additional persons of interest as well as specifics of the investigation will not be released at this time as the investigation is ongoing, according to the statement from police.

Thomas, the Integrity & Fidelity CEO who dedicated his life to reducing gun violence and building safer communities, was celebrated by those who loved and worked with him during a balloon release honoring him last week.

Thomas was found about 9:25 p.m. Oct. 31in his Chicago Heights office in the 400 block of West 14th Street, Chicago Heights police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Thomas, of Matteson, had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to the medical examiner’s office, which ruled his death a homicide.

Thomas founded I&F in 2021 to educate communities in the south suburbs and Chicago about alternative conflict resolution strategies, intervene in street conflicts by building relationships and responding in real time, and to connect residents with support services, according to the organization’s website.