Police Investigate Fatal Shooting of Dennis Durley in Englewood, Chicago
The tragedy unfolded on Friday night, November 7, 2025, in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, along the 900 block of West 63rd Parkway, on the city’s South Side. What began as a quiet evening in the community turned devastating when the sound of gunfire echoed through the street shortly before 10:00 p.m.
Responding to multiple 911 calls, officers from the Chicago Police Department’s 7th District arrived at the scene within minutes. Upon arrival, they discovered a man lying unresponsive on the sidewalk with visible injuries. The victim, later identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as 36-year-old Dennis T. Durley, had sustained gunshot wounds to the head and neck. Despite rapid emergency response, paramedics pronounced him deceased at the scene.
According to police, preliminary reports indicate that a male suspect exited a white sedan, approached Durley, and opened fire at close range. After the shooting, the suspect reportedly fled the area in the same vehicle, heading westbound on 63rd Parkway. Witnesses described hearing several shots before seeing the car speed away into the night.
Durley’s passing adds another name to Chicago’s growing list of gun violence victims in 2025. Family members and neighbors were seen gathering at the scene late Friday, lighting candles and embracing one another as police tape cordoned off the area.
Little is yet known about Dennis Durley’s personal life, but according to those who knew him, he was described as a quiet, hardworking man who had grown up in the Englewood community. Friends shared that Dennis often kept to himself but was known for helping others, especially elderly residents in his block who relied on him for small repairs or errands. “He wasn’t the type to get into trouble,” said one neighbor. “He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Others recalled that Durley had recently been trying to rebuild his life after facing difficult circumstances in past years. He had been working part-time at a local warehouse while also caring for his younger brother. Family members expressed heartbreak and confusion, saying they cannot understand why someone would target him. “He had his struggles like anyone else,” one relative said, “but he was trying to do better. He didn’t deserve this.”
The Chicago Police Department’s Area One detectives have taken charge of the investigation. At this stage, no arrests have been made, and the motive remains unclear. Authorities are exploring all possible leads, including whether the shooting may have been targeted or connected to ongoing disputes in the area. Detectives have canvassed the neighborhood for surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts to track the suspect’s vehicle and identify anyone involved.
Police are also urging anyone with information or video footage to contact the CPD tip line or Crime Stoppers, assuring that callers can remain anonymous.
Englewood, one of Chicago’s most historically challenged neighborhoods, continues to battle persistent gun violence despite community outreach and policing efforts. Residents say that while improvements have been made in recent years, incidents like this serve as painful reminders of the danger that still lingers. “We’ve lost too many people,” said a longtime resident. “Every time something like this happens, it’s like reliving the same heartbreak.”
Officials at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that an autopsy will be conducted to officially determine the cause of death, though police reports already list multiple gunshot injuries. The area where the shooting occurred has been the site of several violent incidents this year, with police increasing patrols to try to deter further violence.
In a statement Saturday morning, Chicago Police spokesperson Officer Jennifer Bryson said detectives are “working around the clock” to locate the suspect. “We understand the pain this community is feeling,” she said. “Every life lost is one too many, and we are committed to finding justice for Mr. Durley and his loved ones.”
As investigations continue, the Englewood community mourns another life taken too soon. Dennis T. Durley, 36 years old, is remembered as a man who faced life’s challenges with quiet strength and compassion. His death underscores the urgency of addressing violence that continues to take lives and devastate families across Chicago’s neighborhoods.
For now, a small memorial stands on the corner of West 63rd Parkway—candles flickering under the glow of streetlights—as loved ones gather, united in grief and hope that justice will one day come for Dennis Durley.