Family Seeks Justice for Unsolved Killing of Chicago Basketball Star

Marquise Pryor's murder remains open despite a known person of interest, leaving his family searching for answers.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:06am

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An extreme close-up of a spent shell casing from a handgun, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty, investigative nature of an unsolved crime.The unsolved killing of a young Chicago basketball star exposes the city's persistent gun violence and the anguish of families seeking justice.Chicago Today

Marquise Pryor, a former Chicago basketball standout, was shot and killed in 2022, but his murder remains unsolved despite many witnesses. Police identified a person of interest, but prosecutors declined to file charges, leaving the case open. Pryor's family, already impacted by another unsolved shooting of a second son, continues to seek justice and answers.

Why it matters

The unsolved murder of a promising young athlete highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and lack of closure for victims' families in Chicago. Pryor's story shines a light on the human toll of these tragedies and the frustration felt by those left behind.

The details

Marquise Pryor had a lot of potential, starring in a documentary about the challenges of being a teenager and athlete in Chicago. In August 2022, he was shot multiple times while attending a barbecue, with dozens of witnesses, but his murder remains unsolved. Police identified a person of interest but prosecutors declined to file charges, leaving the case open.

  • Marquise Pryor was shot and killed in August 2022.
  • In 2023, police presented the case to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, but they declined to approve charges against the person of interest.

The players

Marquise Pryor

A former Chicago basketball standout who was featured in a 2018 FOX Sports documentary and was shot and killed in 2022 at the age of 27.

Derrick Pryor

Marquise Pryor's father, who is pushing for answers and justice in his son's unsolved murder.

Lealer Harris

Marquise Pryor's mother, who works at the Chicago Public School where her son was a student and is seeking justice for his death.

Cook County Sheriff's Police

The law enforcement agency investigating Marquise Pryor's murder.

Cook County State's Attorney's Office

The prosecutors who declined to approve charges against the person of interest in Marquise Pryor's case.

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What they’re saying

“Police know who the shooter is. They're saying there wasn't enough evidence to question him.”

— Derrick Pryor, Marquise Pryor's father

“It's terrible. I don't know if I'm ever wake up and feel a certain way where you know, I'm halfway crying when I put my socks on to go to work. I have to sit back sometimes and pause, I get stuck.”

— Derrick Pryor, Marquise Pryor's father

“I pray about it and I know like, justice, we have to get justice the right way.”

— Lealer Harris, Marquise Pryor's mother

What’s next

Authorities have stated that Cook County Sheriff's Police Detectives continue to investigate Marquise Pryor's murder and encourage anyone with information to contact them.

The takeaway

The unsolved murder of Marquise Pryor, a promising young athlete, highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and lack of closure for victims' families in Chicago. His story shines a light on the human toll of these tragedies and the frustration felt by those left behind, as they continue to seek justice and answers.