Widow, Son Of Late Chicago Lawmaker Shot Dead Inside Their Home

A homicide investigation has been launched after Barbara Deer, the widow of Dennis Deer, a longtime Chicago lawmaker, and their son, Kaleb, were found shot to death inside their Chicago home.

Barbara Deer, 51 and Kaleb, 23, were found shot to death inside their residence in the 3500 block of West Arthington Street in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, also known as the Homan Square community on the West Side. The discovery was made Chicago police received the call around 5:50 p.m. and immediately responded.

A family friend had gone to the home after Kaleb’s twin brother, Kanaan Deer, received an Apple Watch notification indicating that his mother had suffered a “hard fall.” The friend was unable to enter because the front door was dead-bolted, according to a report from the Chicago Sun Times.

The family’s car was parked in the rear, and the dog was barking unusually in the backyard after being left outside for an extended period. Texts to Barbara and Kaleb Deer went unanswered.

Chicago Fire Department personnel forced entry, cleared the first and second floors, and located the victims on the ground in a pool of blood in the basement.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office and Chicago police, Barbara Deer sustained three gunshot wounds to the chest, while Kaleb Deer sustained a single gunshot wound to the head. Both were pronounced dead at the scene at 6:53 p.m.

Multiple fired cartridge cases were found on the floor, while a black handgun was recovered on the floor near Kaleb Deer’s hand. No signs of forced entry were reported on the doors or windows.

Detectives with the Chicago Police Department are investigating the deaths as a double homicide. Additional details on the investigation, including any suspects, have not been provided as of this report.

“Today, we mourn alongside the Deer family as they endure another heartbreaking and unimaginable loss with the passing of former Commissioner Dennis Deer’s beloved wife and son,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement.

“The Deer family has long been well-known in the community for their compassion and steadfast commitment to others. Their presence and service touched countless lives. There are no words that can make sense of such pain, but I hope the surviving family members find strength in the love that surrounds them.”

MOTHER & SON KILLED!! 💥💥

23-yr-old Kaleb Deer & 51-yr-old Barbara Deer, has both been identified as the Widow & son of former Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer, that was found shot to death in their west side home last night 🕊️🕯️💐⛅️✝️

On Tuesday April 14th, 2026, around… https://t.co/LRlC0VVRBq pic.twitter.com/CsyWCuAmnR

— Chitown_Crime_Chasers (@CCC_CrimeChaser) April 15, 2026

Dennis Deer served as Cook County Commissioner for the 2nd district from 2017 until his death in 2024. Appointed to the position in 2017 following the death of predecessor Robert Steele, he was elected to the seat in 2018 and held it for approximately seven years

Prior to entering politics, Deer operated a drug treatment and counseling center in Chicago’s North Lawndale section.

Dennis Deer passed away on June 23, 2024, at age 51, one year after undergoing a double lung transplant due to a genetic condition affecting the positioning of his chest organs.

RELATED: Police Launch Homicide Investigation Into NFL Player’s Mysterious Death At 55