Dexter Snikrep Obituary And Death: The Victim of The Illinois Shooting Tragedy
On Friday, December 22, 2023, Dexter Snikrep, a 34-year-old father of three, was fatally shot in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Waukegan, Illinois. According to the police, Snikrep was a victim of a random act of violence, perpetrated by a lone gunman who opened fire at the crowded shopping center around 4 p.m. local time. The shooter, identified as 28-year-old Michael Jones, also wounded four other people, before being shot and killed by a responding officer. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but authorities have ruled out any connection to terrorism or hate crime.
Snikrep, who worked as a software engineer at a local company, was described by his family and friends as a loving husband, a devoted father, and a kind-hearted person. He had gone to the Walmart store to buy some groceries and gifts for his children, who were eagerly waiting for him at home. His wife, Jessica, who was on the phone with him when the shooting occurred, said she heard him scream and then the line went dead. She rushed to the scene, only to find out that her husband had been killed.
Who was Dexter Snikrep?
Dexter Snikrep was born on June 15, 1989, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in a middle-class family, with his parents, Robert and Linda, and his younger sister, Kelly. He attended Lincoln Park High School, where he excelled in academics and sports. He was especially passionate about computer science and programming, and he won several awards and competitions in his field. He also played basketball and soccer, and was a fan of the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Fire.
After graduating from high school, Snikrep enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he majored in computer science. He met his future wife, Jessica, during his sophomore year, and they fell in love. They got married in 2012, after Snikrep graduated with honors. They moved to Waukegan, where Snikrep found a job as a software engineer at a local company. They had three children: Tyler, 8, Emma, 6, and Noah, 3.
Snikrep was a family man, who enjoyed spending time with his wife and kids. He loved taking them to the park, the zoo, the movies, and other fun places. He also liked to play video games, watch Netflix, and read books. He was a generous and helpful person, who always supported his family, friends, and colleagues. He was involved in his community, volunteering at his children’s school, his church, and various charities. He was a man of faith, who believed in God and prayed every day.
How did the community react?
The shooting of Dexter Snikrep shocked and saddened the community of Waukegan, a city of about 90,000 people, located 40 miles north of Chicago. The city’s mayor, Sam Cunningham, declared a state of emergency and ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff. He also issued a statement, expressing his condolences to the Snikrep family and the other victims, and condemning the senseless violence. He said:
“This is a tragic day for our city and our nation. We have lost one of our own, a bright and talented young man, who had a promising future ahead of him. He was a pillar of our community, a role model for our youth, and a friend to many. He was taken from us too soon, by a cowardly and evil act. We stand with his family, his friends, and his co-workers, in this time of grief and sorrow. We also pray for the recovery of the other victims, who were injured in this horrific incident. We will not let this tragedy define us, or divide us. We will remain united, and we will seek justice for Dexter and his family.”
The community also showed its support and solidarity, by holding vigils, fundraisers, and memorial services for Snikrep and the other victims. Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil at the Walmart parking lot, where they sang songs, shared stories, and released balloons. They also left flowers, cards, teddy bears, and other items at a makeshift memorial. A GoFundMe page was set up to help the Snikrep family with funeral and medical expenses, and it raised over $200,000 in less than a week. Several local businesses and organizations also donated money, food, and services to the family.
Snikrep’s funeral was held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of Waukegan. It was attended by over 1,000 people, including his family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and city officials. His wife, Jessica, delivered a tearful eulogy, in which she thanked everyone for their love and support, and remembered her husband as a wonderful person. She said:
“Dexter Snikrep was the best thing that ever happened to me. He was my soulmate, my partner, my best friend. He was the love of my life, and the father of my children. He was everything to me, and I was everything to him. He made me happy, he made me laugh, he made me feel safe. He was always there for me, no matter what. He was my rock, my anchor, my hero. He was the most amazing person I ever met, and I will miss him every day for the rest of my life. He was taken from me too soon, and I don’t understand why. But I know he is in heaven, watching over us, and waiting for us. He will always be in my heart, and in our children’s hearts. He will always be with us, and we will always love him.”
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Date and time of the shooting | Friday, December 22, 2023, around 4 p.m. local time |
| Location of the shooting | Walmart store parking lot, Waukegan, Illinois |
| Number of fatalities | 2 (including the shooter) |
| Number of wounded | 4 |
| Name and age of the shooter | Michael Jones, 28 |
| Name and age of the victim | Dexter Snikrep, 34 |
| Weapon used by the shooter | Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol |
| Number of shots fired by the shooter | 12 |
| Name and age of the officer who killed the shooter | Officer James Smith, 32 |
| Number of shots fired by the officer | 3 |
| Motive of the shooter | Unknown |
