A Decade-Long Cold Case Heats Up as Gold Coast Man Charged with Murder
After nearly two decades on the run, 68-year-old David Barklow has finally faced justice for a fatal shooting that occurred on Chicago's Gold Coast over 18 years ago. The Cook County State's Attorney's office announced charges of first-degree murder against Barklow earlier this month, bringing closure to the family and friends of Kent Projansky, a man who was found shot to death in his apartment in December 2004.
The case went cold after Projansky's brutal killing, with investigators unable to find any leads despite searching the crime scene extensively. It wasn't until 2017 that the case was re-examined as part of a state project for unsolved homicides. At that time, prosecutors discovered that some fingerprints found at the crime scene belonged to Barklow, a man who lived in a neighboring building and knew Projansky.
Barklow was arrested in 2019, but he managed to evade arrest once again by fleeing the country. He traveled to Canada, then Sweden, before disappearing entirely. However, in April 2022, a Cook County arrest warrant was issued for Barklow, and the FBI obtained a federal warrant for his arrest due to his unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
It wasn't until this month that authorities finally apprehended Barklow at an airport in Lima, Peru, where he had been detained since earlier this year. He has since been extradited back to Illinois and made his first court appearance, where he was ordered detained until trial.
The Cook County State's Attorney's office expressed gratitude to the Chicago Police Department, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and Peruvian authorities for their efforts in solving the case. "My office will never stop working to seek justice for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed," said Eileen O'Neill Burke, State's Attorney.
The case serves as a reminder that even after two decades, justice can still be served through determination and perseverance from law enforcement agencies.
After nearly two decades on the run, 68-year-old David Barklow has finally faced justice for a fatal shooting that occurred on Chicago's Gold Coast over 18 years ago. The Cook County State's Attorney's office announced charges of first-degree murder against Barklow earlier this month, bringing closure to the family and friends of Kent Projansky, a man who was found shot to death in his apartment in December 2004.
The case went cold after Projansky's brutal killing, with investigators unable to find any leads despite searching the crime scene extensively. It wasn't until 2017 that the case was re-examined as part of a state project for unsolved homicides. At that time, prosecutors discovered that some fingerprints found at the crime scene belonged to Barklow, a man who lived in a neighboring building and knew Projansky.
Barklow was arrested in 2019, but he managed to evade arrest once again by fleeing the country. He traveled to Canada, then Sweden, before disappearing entirely. However, in April 2022, a Cook County arrest warrant was issued for Barklow, and the FBI obtained a federal warrant for his arrest due to his unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
It wasn't until this month that authorities finally apprehended Barklow at an airport in Lima, Peru, where he had been detained since earlier this year. He has since been extradited back to Illinois and made his first court appearance, where he was ordered detained until trial.
The Cook County State's Attorney's office expressed gratitude to the Chicago Police Department, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and Peruvian authorities for their efforts in solving the case. "My office will never stop working to seek justice for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed," said Eileen O'Neill Burke, State's Attorney.
The case serves as a reminder that even after two decades, justice can still be served through determination and perseverance from law enforcement agencies.
finally some closure for the Projansky family and friends after all those years... I'm glad they got to see justice served, even if it was 18 yrs too late 
. I mean, can you imagine living with that kind of uncertainty? The investigators did a great job re-examining the case and following leads until Barklow was caught. And what's crazy is he thought he could just hop on a plane to Peru and leave everything behind 
. Justice may be served now, but it's heartbreaking that it took so long. My thoughts are with Kent Projansky's loved ones 
Finally some justice after 20 years! I mean, who else can just run away from their crimes for that long? It's like he thought he was above the law or something. And poor Kent Projansky... his family deserves so much better than a life sentence of wondering if their loved one is still alive or dead 
. The fact that it took 2017 to re-examine the case and find those fingerprints just shows you how slow justice can be sometimes. Thankfully, it all came together this time and Barklow's not getting away with this anymore. The Cook County State's Attorney's office seems really on top of it too 
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. And can you imagine how traumatic it must've been for Projansky's family and friends not knowing who did this to him? It's just so sad 
. But I guess all good things come to those who wait... or in this case, to those who are finally caught 
. The fact that the prosecution is still pushing forward with justice after all these years is a testament to their dedication 
. Fingers crossed for Barklow's trial and hopefully a guilty verdict 
OMG, did you see those stats?! Like 18 years is a looong time to leave someone dead! 
But seriously, 68 years old for the perp? That's ancient! 
And check it out - 97% of the fingerprints found at the crime scene matched Barklow. 
Mind blown!
. I mean, how many other lives got ruined or lost during those 18 years? 
This just goes to show that law enforcement can still bring justice after the long shot 
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. And can you blame him? Who wouldn't want to escape a murder charge after all that time? 
But seriously, I'm so glad this family got some closure and justice was served 
. It's just a reminder that even when things seem impossible, perseverance and determination can lead to amazing results 
. it's wild to think about how long this guy was on the run 
. but props to the investigators who kept at it even when all hope seemed lost 
️ did he really think he could just disappear for that long? 
i feel bad for them having to wait all those yrs for closure 
i'm so glad the cook county state's attorney's office is doing their thing & bringing closure 2 this family. justice is served 4 sure! 
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anyway, glad justice is being served now 
They found those prints that linked him to the crime scene. And can you believe he tried to flee the country like three times? 
Like, what was he thinking?! 
. Who gets priority attention from law enforcement agencies? Those with deep pockets or connections, or the average Joe who's been wronged? It's a system that needs to be shaken up.
️ i guess you cud say david got a second chance 2 clear his name or make things right but its def not gonna b easy 4 him