Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a Forest Park man who was killed by a single gunshot wound Thursday night in the 500 block of Hannah Avenue. Authorities believe the man was the victim of a robbery and was not specifically targeted by his shooter.
“It appears to be a random act of violence,” Police Chief Jim Ryan said. “We suspect it was an armed robbery that went bad.”
The victim, identified by authorities as a white male in his 50s, was shot in the head during the evening hours of Dec. 20 in his detached garage. The incident was reported to police just prior to 9 p.m. after the victim’s roommate discovered the body.
Ryan declined to confirm the man’s identity in lieu of notification of the victim’s parents. A man who lived with the victim at 513 Hannah Ave. identified himself to a reporter as the victim’s partner, and confirmed David Carlson is the deceased.
Police have not made an arrest in the case and did not have any suspects as of mid-morning on Friday. Investigators worked overnight at the scene of the shooting to recover evidence and have notified surrounding law enforcement agencies. Because the investigation is ongoing, Ryan declined to comment on any specific evidence that may have been recovered.
Several items allegedly stolen from the property were recovered, Ryan said.
“We’ve questioned some people, but it doesn’t appear they’re going to be directly involved,” Ryan said.
Roughly a half block from where Carlson was killed, classes at Garfield Elementary were underway without interruption on Friday, according to Principal Jamie Stauder. District 91 Superintendent Lou Cavallo confirmed the district was aware of the shooting, and that school officials were speaking to students as needed, largely to quell any rumors. Cavallo said he did not believe counseling services were necessary as no students were involved in any way.
“It’s something that we have to be aware of and address,” Cavallo said. “I don’t want to alarm kids, especially at a young age, but it occurred very close to our school.”
