Man found shot to death after Morgan Park explosion identified

CHICAGO (STMW) - A man found shot to death after a “suspicious” explosion and fire at a Morgan Park neighborhood house two weeks ago has been identified.

About 12:40 a.m. Sept. 14, firefighters responded to a report of an explosion and fire at a single-story home in the 10800 block of South Morgan Street, according to Fire Media Affairs.

A 48-year-old man, identified as Timothy D. Lawrence, was found unresponsive at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy found he died of a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a homicide.

The fire was extinguished at 1:22 a.m. and no one else was injured, fire officials said.

Police issued a community alert the next day saying the fire was intentionally set.

“It frightened me because I thought a car had ran into a building or something. But then when I saw the house, I saw flames shooting out the top,” a neighbor, the Rev. Eric D. Roberts Sr., told reporters at the scene.

The Chicago Police Bomb and Arson Unit is investigating the the fire.

The victim’s vehicle was also stolen after he was shot, police said. Investigators are trying to locate the 2004 black Buick LeSabre, which had a license plate number of V617710.

Anyone with information on the car or the incident is asked to call Area South detectives at (312) 747-8271.