A beloved South Side chef and restaurant owner, Isaac “Wavy” Bradley, was killed early Friday in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, where two people died and five others were injured after two masked men opened fire. Bradley’s business partner said they spoke
Police tape lined the 5100 block of South Wood Street in the Back of the Yards neighborhood hours after a mass shooting left two people dead and five others wounded.
Isaac “Wavy” Bradley, 44, and Lamar Butler, 32, were among those killed after two masked men walked down the block and opened fire around 12:25 a.m. Friday, according to Chicago police reports. The men were firing at a group at a home in the 5100 block when the violence erupted.
Bradley, who was also a barber, was part owner of several restaurants, including Chemistry Chicago, Stussy’s Diner, Soul Shack, Retro Grill and LiteHouse Whole Food Grill. His business partner, Erik Rico Nance, said Bradley had poured his energy into making each restaurant succeed.
Nance recalled that when they met almost a decade ago, “He was just so passionate and energetic when it came to food.” Nance said each business became a “passion project,” and added, “Everyone raved about his food. Everything he created was amazing.”
Nance said he had spoken with Bradley just hours before the shooting. Bradley, Nance said, had gone to give a friend a haircut when he was fatally shot.
Police said Bradley suffered gunshot wounds to the head, chest and leg and was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Butler was shot in the abdomen and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital.
The five injured included two women. Police said a 23-year-old was shot in the head and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. A 30-year-old was shot in the thigh and hand and was in fair condition at Mount Sinai Hospital. A 54-year-old man was in fair condition at Stroger with a gunshot wound to an ankle.
At the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said a 21-year-old man who was shot in the back and a 32-year-old man who was shot in the torso were both taken in good condition.
No one was in custody, police said.
Nance said he plans to honor Bradley’s memory by carrying forward the vision they shared for their businesses and ensuring they continue to thrive. “I won’t let his death be in vain,” he said. “I will make sure that everyone remembers his name.”
Bradley, Nance said, was “a loving father” with a teenage son, and dreamed of one day passing the family business on to him. Nance has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to cover funeral expenses and ensure that Bradley’s son is taken care of.
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Paul Rutherford. executive director of Cook County Crime Stoppers. said. “This tragic shooting is yet another example of the senseless gun violence that continues to plague our communities.” Rutherford added that the shootings are happening “far too often. ” leaving families devastated and neighborhoods traumatized.
He urged anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about those responsible to come forward, saying tipsters can remain anonymous. People can call 1-800-535-STOP (7867) or submit a tip at www.CPDTIP.com.
Back of the Yards South Side Chicago mass shooting Isaac “Wavy” Bradley Lamar Butler Chemistry Chicago Stussy’s Diner Soul Shack Retro Grill LiteHouse Whole Food Grill Erik Rico Nance Cook County Crime Stoppers