Resident stabbed at South Side facility deemed homicide; man killed by CPD believed to be culprit

CHICAGO — A resident was found stabbed to death at a South Side living facility and Chicago police have ruled his death a homicide, believing the victim was murdered by a knife-wielding man who was shot and killed by officers at the same living facility early Monday morning.

Authorities say resident Keith Harding, 58, was found dead several hours after the fatal police shooting, with cuts on his arm and neck, in a room just a few doors down from where officers opened fire.

“Me and him, we came up together and wow, I didn’t believe it was Keith,” one resident, who did not wish to be identified, said. “It’s unbelievable, and the police were lined all the way down the street.”

Police initially opened a death investigation and re-classified it to a homicide on Tuesday afternoon.

Just before 3 a.m. Monday, police were called to the Grand Regency of Jackson Park Supportive Living facility, located in the 1400 block of East 75th Street in Grand Crossing, for reports of a man with a knife threatening people inside the facility.

Police say officers located the man’s unit inside the facility and confronted him, ordering him to drop the knife. They deployed their Tasers, but the man — still armed with a knife — was not subdued and advanced at officers, at which time they shot him, according to CPD. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his identity has not yet been released.

Residents described Harding as quiet and someone who kept to himself. He was also reportedly a Jahovah’s Witness.

“I knew [Keith],” another resident, who did not wish to be identified, said. “I might find me another place to stay, a lot of deaths happening here.”

Police continue to investigate the officer-involved fatal shooting, and the Chicago Police Department says there’s body-camera footage of the incident.

Residents also said there are security cameras inside the facility.

The specifics of the incident, including the comprehensive use-of-force investigation, are being investigated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), with the full cooperation of CPD. The officer(s) involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days.

WGN-TV reached back out to building management Tuesday, but has not yet heard back.

Concerns about facility

Four years ago, Sherry Nicholas was found dead inside her apartment at the same facility where Monday morning’s incident happened. That case remains unsolved.

The Nicholas family told WGN-TV they have a cousin who still lives at the Grand Regency of Jackson Park Supportive Living facility. The cousin reportedly told family members he feels unsafe.

“I feel kind of sorry for them. I feel like they need extra security, and if not, they should close the facility down so this won’t keep happening,” Wendy Nicholas, a relative of the aforementioned cousin, said.

A spokesperson for the facility issued the following statement in light of Monday’s incident:

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this event. The wellbeing and safety of our residents, staff, and community remain our highest priority. We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they conduct their investigation, and we are committed to supporting our residents and staff throughout this difficult time.”