Violence interrupters mourn Chicago shooting that left one of their own dead

CHICAGO (CBS) – A Chicago man who volunteered as a violence interrupter was shot and killed in the Englewood neighborhood last weekend. Those who knew him and volunteered alongside him vowed days later to continue his mission.

Dennis Green volunteered for the Englewood First Responders. Charles McKenzie, the organization’s founder, said Green’s death only made him more motivated to explore the world.

“We’re out here so people can see our presence,” McKenzie said.

Most days, McKenzie is out and about in Englewood with a group of teenagers who volunteer as violence interrupters.

Green was shot at 8:39 a.m. on Sunday in the alley behind the 700 block of West 36th Place – the very neighborhood where he was active against gun violence.

“It’s just so many mixed emotions. And it hit me in such a way that I thought, man, I fight violence so hard every day and do what I can to curb violence,” McKenzie said, “and it was happening to people who are really trying to de-escalate situations.”

McKenzie said people only need to know one story about Green to know what kind of man he was.

“There was a guy out there who was heavily drugged and smelled. Dennis took off his brand new pair of shoes and gave them to the guy,” McKenzie said. “That shows he had a good heart for people.”

Chicago police said Green was shot multiple times. He was 36.

Green was one of eight people killed and 44 shot The last weekend.

Dana Estrem runs an afternoon program near the crime scene. He describes what he saw.

“I noticed that there were a few patrol cars gathered in the area,” Estrem said. “Every life is priceless.”

Meanwhile, McKenzie said the loss of one of his employees motivates him to continue his work.

“It definitely made me more motivated,” he said, “but if you don’t have strong willpower, it can definitely break you.”

CBS 2 checked with Chicago police on Wednesday evening, who said no arrests had been made.