Chicago, Illinois – The family of a beloved assistant principal, Abnerd Joseph, who tragically lost his life in a shooting incident in his downtown Chicago apartment building, has recently filed a lawsuit claiming negligence and wrongful death. Joseph, who previously worked at Intrinsic High School in the city, was fatally shot last year in his luxury high-rise residence.
Although no criminal charges were ever filed in connection with Joseph’s death, his family is seeking justice through legal action in response to the tragic event. The 32-year-old educator, originally from Atlanta, was found shot multiple times on September 14, 2023, in his apartment building downtown.
According to reports, the night of the incident, Joseph was seen acting erratically, knocking on neighbors’ doors and behaving in a manner described as incoherent by witnesses. The situation escalated when Joseph allegedly became physically aggressive towards the building’s doorman after several neighbors and the doorman attempted to confront him.
The neighbor involved in the shooting, identified as 45-year-old Garrett Mark Smith, a concealed carry license holder, stated that he warned Joseph he was armed and tried to calm him down before Joseph charged at him. In an act of self-defense, the neighbor fired his weapon, fatally striking Joseph.
Joseph’s family, however, disputes the account of the events leading up to the shooting and questions the response of the building’s management and security as well as the neighbor involved. They believe Joseph, who had recently changed his ADHD medication, was experiencing emotional distress at the time and did not pose a threat to others.
The lawsuit filed by Joseph’s family alleges that the building’s owners, management, security personnel, and the neighbor who shot Joseph are at fault for not taking appropriate measures to deescalate the situation before resorting to deadly force. The family is still awaiting access to surveillance footage of the incident to corroborate their version of events.
Despite the lack of criminal charges in the case, the family continues to press for justice and accountability. Joseph’s siblings describe him as a dedicated educator who always put his students first and had a positive impact on those around him. Students at Intrinsic High School remember Joseph as kind, attentive, and committed to their success, underscoring the profound loss felt throughout the school community.