Former Golder student gets 62 years for killing teen outside school in 2022

A tragic incident occurred in January 2022 when a former Golder College Prep student, Tremell Neloms, was convicted for the killing of high school senior Caleb Westbrooks. Neloms, who was 22 at the time of sentencing, received a 62-year prison term for the murder of Westbrooks and the attempted murders of three bystanders.

The incident took place near the school campus as students were leaving for the day. Westbrooks, just 15 years old, was shot by Neloms in broad daylight. The prosecution argued that Neloms approached Westbrooks and opened fire after a brief interaction, resulting in Westbrooks being fatally wounded. Despite Neloms being acquitted of a robbery charge, he was found guilty of the murder and attempted murders.

The sentencing judge, Tyria Walton, disregarded Neloms’ juvenile status at the time of the crime and handed down a harsh sentence. Neloms, who had no prior criminal record, will have the opportunity to seek parole after serving 20 years in prison.

Caleb Westbrooks’ father, Corneal, expressed his devastation in a written statement, highlighting his son’s promising future that was tragically cut short. He also called for accountability from city and county leaders in addressing the root causes of senseless violence and the lack of mental health services in Chicago and Cook County.

The impact of this incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of gun violence and the importance of addressing systemic issues that contribute to such tragedies. As the community mourns the loss of Caleb Westbrooks, the hope is that justice will be served, and measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.