Police Seek Public's Help in Solving Two South Shore Murders

Police have released surveillance photos of the suspects

Chicago police are asking for the public’s help in solving two South Shore murders that took place in December.

Nearly six months after a Chicago deacon and a popular blues musician were gunned down in two shootings less than an hour apart, police are still searching for the gunman or gunmen.

In a community alert issued Saturday, police ask to interview anyone with information surrounding the shootings of Willie Cooper and Eric Davis.

Cooper, 74, was found in a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds just before 5 a.m. on Dec. 19 in the 7000 block of South East End Avenue in the city’s South Shore neighborhood, police said.

"A co-worker's son heard Mr. Cooper -- Deacon Cooper -- say, 'Wait a minute! Wait a minute!' and then all of a sudden the rounds of gunfire went off," said St. Philip Neri pastor Thomas Belanger.

Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene, officials with the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said.

Nearly 30 minutes later, officers found Davis behind the wheel of a vehicle in the 6700 block of South East End Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds.

Davis was about to record on a major record label and Cooper was a retired Chicago Transit Authority employee who had been a deacon at St. Philip Neri for more than 20 years.

Police believe both were shot during attempted armed robberies and released surveillance photos of the suspects.

Anyone with information surrounding the shootings can call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8380.

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