Dupage Policy Journal

Audrey Barrett paid her respects to a retired police officer in a Facebook post on June 26, saying "Rest in Peace" and calling for an end to the violence that killed the man.

"Rest in Peace," said Barrett, Candidate, according to Facebook. "Thank you for your service. This violence needs to stop."

In her Facebook post, Barrett shared a link from Fox 32 about an update on the killing of Larry Neuman, 73, who was fatally shot last week. According to Fox 32, Lazarius Watt, 16, would face first-degree murder charges in the killing. Neuman was the Chicago Police Department’s longest-serving explosives technician. He was mowing his lawn at home on June 20 with another individual. When the job was done, he went inside to get money to pay the person who had helped him. When he returned, two people approached wearing ski masks and carrying guns. Watt’s co-defendant approached Neuman and told him to freeze before the retired officer reached for his own gun. He was struck in the chest and leg but fired a single round.

Screenshot of Audrey Barrett for Representative 26th District's June 25 Facebook post | Audrey Barrett For Representative 26th District Facebook pageREs

On June 23, Fox 32 reported that Watt turned himself in. The outlet also reported that Neuman’s body was escorted from the hospital by the Chicago Police Department’s bomb squad and other department members to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office on June 20 after Neuman died from his wounds.

The 26th House District is located entirely in Chicago and includes neighborhoods such as Bronzeville, Downtown, Gold Coast, and Hyde Park. It is currently represented by State Representative Kam Buckner (D-Chicago). Buckner ran for the February 2023 election for Mayor of Chicago and is running for re-election to represent District 26, according to Ballotpedia.

South Side native Barrett, a single mother of three children, is CEO and Founder of Kingdom 4U Health and Wellness. She is also a nurse specializing in pediatric home healthcare and works as a nurse manager.

"Barrett’s efforts have shifted in focus as a result of the scarcity of voices in our legislature who can empathize with those who are struggling. Crime, education, the drug crisis, and a lack of access to healthcare are the problems wreaking havoc on our communities and ones she cares deeply about," her campaign website reads.