Police said one person was in custody Friday, but no charges had been announced.
DOLTON, IL — A former professional basketball player was shot and killed Thursday night outside a lounge in south suburban Dolton, where police said one person was taken into custody as investigators worked to determine what led to the gunfire.
Family members identified the man as 31-year-old Khapri Alston, a father of two who had played basketball overseas after attending Thornwood High School. His death has left relatives pressing for a full investigation while Dolton police say the case remains active. Authorities had not announced charges or publicly identified the person in custody as of Saturday morning.
The shooting happened Thursday night in the 14100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near East 115th Street. Police said at least one person was killed. Relatives said Alston had been at Rucker Cigar Lounge with his girlfriend before an argument or confrontation broke out outside. His father said the family learned soon after that Alston had been shot and later gathered Friday evening outside the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office after identifying his body. “We are crushed and devastated,” Alston’s father said. “We can’t believe this happened.”
Alston’s father said his son went to Thornwood High School and built a basketball career that later took him overseas. Relatives described him as well known in Chicago and beyond, with a life centered on basketball and his children. He leaves behind a son, a daughter, his parents and five siblings, family members said. Police have not released a detailed account of the confrontation, including who fired, how many shots were fired or whether any weapon was recovered. Authorities also have not said whether surveillance video from the area is part of the investigation.
The killing drew attention because of Alston’s basketball background and because relatives said they fear the case could be influenced by the suspected shooter’s alleged connections. Family members said they want investigators to handle the case openly and thoroughly. Alston’s father said his son should not become “somebody’s number on a file” and said the family wants justice. Police said one person was in custody, but they did not announce charges Friday or early Saturday. The person in custody was not publicly named.
Dolton is a south suburban Cook County village just south of Chicago, with about 20,600 residents in the most recent federal estimate. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is one of the village’s main corridors and includes village offices, businesses and nearby residential blocks. The shooting added to concerns in a community that has seen other deadly incidents in recent years. Police have not said whether Thursday’s shooting was isolated or whether the public faced any continuing threat after the person was taken into custody.
The next steps in the case include a charging decision by prosecutors, continued police interviews and review of evidence from the scene. Investigators were expected to determine whether the confrontation began inside or outside the lounge and whether witnesses can identify the exact sequence before the shooting. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office was also expected to complete its work on the cause and manner of death. As of Saturday, police had described the investigation as active and ongoing.
Relatives said Alston’s death has left a large circle of friends, teammates and family members in shock. His father said the family could not understand why a dispute ended in gunfire. “You didn’t have to kill my son,” he said in an emotional message directed at the shooter. “This could’ve been resolved.” Family members said Alston was remembered for his athletic talent, his bond with his children and the years he spent building a life through basketball.
By Saturday morning, the case stood with one person in custody and no announced charges. Dolton police said the investigation was continuing, and the family said it was waiting for answers about how the confrontation turned deadly.
Author note: Last updated May 23, 2026.