On Friday, September 15th, an incident at a Loop high-rise resulted in the senseless death of 32-year-old Abnerd Joseph, beloved assistant principal of Intrinsic School, whose life was taken as a violent altercation escalated according to NBC Chicago.
According to the Chicago Tribune, on the evening of September 15th, Abnerd Joseph was involved in what can only be described as a chaotic situation, where he was "wildly" knocking on the doors of fellow residents in the high-rise building on 60 E. Monroe St. He was allegedly attempting to enter apartments and yelling incoherently. When a few tenants and the doorman attempted to intervene and calm him down, Joseph reportedly struck both the doorman and another tenant. At that moment, as NBC Chicago reported, another tenant, who had a concealed-carry license, warned Joseph to stop and, as described in the police report, when Joseph "turned and charged" at him, the tenant fired, hitting Joseph multiple times.
Swiftly transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Joseph's injuries were devastating, culminating in his tragic death, as reported by Hoodline. With family members left grappling for answers, authorities have decided not to press charges against the resident who fired the fatal rounds, releasing him from custody.
Amidst the shock and bewilderment of Joseph's sudden death, those who knew him as a caring educator and leader of Intrinsic School's culture are reeling from the news. "We are deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of Mr. Joseph, who served our school as an empathetic leader, role model, and inspiration for our students," a spokesperson at Intrinsic School said in a statement mentiond in NBC Chicago. As the school community comes to terms with this profound loss, they are dedicating resources to providing support to both students and colleagues during this time of unbearable sorrow.
Abnerd Joseph's life story is one of dedication and commitment to education. According to Intrinsic School's website, he had five years of experience as an assistant principal before joining the school in 2022. Prior to that, he had taught algebra and life sciences for another five years. With a background in psychology from Florida State University, Joseph was working toward a master's degree in educational leadership at Georgia State University.
Joseph's untimely death leaves not only the Intrinsic School community but also his family experiencing indescribable heartache. Jeanna Joseph, his sister, shared with NBC Chicago just how deeply her brother's loss is felt. She reminisced about his various talents and kindness, how he taught her many life skills, and described the magnitude of his impact on countless young lives.
With upcoming nuptials scheduled for April 2023, Jeanna fondly recalled her final conversation with her brother, where he assured her that he would be there to celebrate her special day and serenade her with a classic love song. As she contemplates a future without her dearly loved older brother by her side, she is left to reconcile how quickly joy can turn to devastation, and a radiant smile's power to brighten up a room may be extinguished in an instant.
