MILWAUKEE (WITI) — A graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design was gunned down in Chicago this weekend — in a possible case of mistaken identity. FOX6 News has learned the young photographer had recently moved to Chicago, and he was a well-known and loved person whose career showed great promise.
“It`s really hard to see something like this, so terrible, to someone you love,” Warren Rader said.
Rader is still trying to grasp why his close friend Wil Lewis’ life was taken so suddenly and violently.
“I don`t think anyone deserves this to happen to them. It`s pretty horrific and nonsensical,” Rader said.
Chicago Alderman Joe Moore witnessed the shooting that killed 28-year-old Lewis as he was waiting for a bus not far from his Rogers Park home.
“Having never been witnessing a gun being fired during the commission of a crime, I’ll tell you one thing — I didn’t notice too much more than just the gun itself,” Moore said.
Lewis was struck in the back.
Moore says after Lewis collapsed, the gunman continued shooting into another group of young people before running down the street.
Lewis was the only one hit.
“We lost a great guy,” Rader said.
Rader says Lewis and his wife, Maria had recently moved to Chicago after they relocated from Milwaukee for her work.
The group of friends, who met at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design all shared a passion for photography, and Rader says he was proud as he watched Lewis’ career develop. His exceptional work led Lewis from freelancing to a permanent position.
Police have arrested 31-year-old Eric Vaughn for the murder, but the apprehension brings little comfort to Lewis’ loved ones, now dealing with a loss.
“Nothing is going to change the fact that Wil is gone. He was a really good guy — full of life. He really made peoples’ day,” Rader said.
Lewis just got a full-time job as a photographer for an online retailer. He was supposed to start on Monday, July 14th.
Loved ones and fellow photographers are in the process of setting up a memorial fund in Lewis’ honor. The proceeds will benefit either a photography scholarship or anti-gun violence organization.
