FAMILY MEMBERS & COMMUNITY WANT TO KNOW WHY SAMUEL “RED” THOMAS WAS MURDERED

   
Grieving mother Catherine Thomas has been relentless in her determination to find out who murdered her son, Samuel “Red” Thomas, and why. He was shot to death in his East Garfield Park neighborhood in the early hours of January 22. She and other family members are pleading with the community to provide information on the brutal murder.
    According to family members, Thomas, 41, was in his home on West Franklin Boulevard. He went outside in his pajamas and without his wallet to check on his car. He was found in the 400 block of North St. Louis Avenue shot four times.
    Police have told the family that the murder is not the result of gang or drug activity, so the investigation is being handled differently. But, police have not identified any leads in the case.
    “My son was a good father, husband, and my only child,” says Mrs. Thomas. “This senseless act of violence towards my son has torn my life apart. I hope if anyone has any information leading to the arrest, that someone will come forward and share what they know to help solve Samuel “Red’s” murder.”
    Mrs. Thomas says she has been in contact with the detectives in charge of the investigation, but has not been given any information or updated on the status of the investigation.
    Pastor Ira Acree and members of Greater St. John Bible Church, where Thomas was active, are rallying around the family and are asking the community for information. They are also urging the police to continue their investigation. They say they fear that as time passes police will concentrate on other cases and allow Thomas’ murder investigation to grow cold.

    “I can’t imagine who would want to harm Samuel,” declares Reverend Acree. “He was a hardworking family man who volunteered on the Security Ministry at church. We need everyone’s help to find the person or persons who committed this crime,” says Pastor Acree.
    Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the offenders responsible for the murder of Samuel Thomas. Persons with information may call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-535-STOP. Their identity will be kept confidential. They may also call Area 4 Violent Crimes at 312/746-8252.
    Samuel Thomas was born April 7, 1968, in Chicago. He graduated from Ryerson Elementary School and from Orr High School in 1987. He continued his education at Wright College.
    Thomas was an active member in St. Michael’s Youth Choir. Later, he joined Greater St. John Bible Church. He worked for many years at Zenith and moved on to work for the Santa Fe Railroad, where he was employed for nine years.
    In addition to his mother, Catherine, Thomas leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Denise; three sons, Samuel Isiah, Christopher, and Keishun; a stepson Moochie and a stepdaughter LaKaija; plus many family members and friends.