The father of four was shot and killed while working security at the West Side Dollar Tree; Called the “gentle giant” – Chicago Tribune

Sharice Wright knew not to make eye contact with her father when she got into trouble at home because he made her laugh.

Sharice, 21, said of her father, Loyce Wright: “He was the only person who was serious and you didn’t look at because he would make you laugh.”

Loyce, 43, who gave good hugs and good jokes, was shot and killed Friday afternoon while working as a security guard at the Austin Family Dollar, Sharice said. His death came just days after the Chicago City Council voted to regulate where dollar stores could open new locations, citing safety as one reason for the restrictions.

Chicago police said Loyce was in the store around 1:30 p.m. when someone shot him several times. He died a short time later at Stroger Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner. Police said no one had been taken into custody as of Friday night.

Loyce, who lived in west suburban Hanover Park, was a loving father of four daughters: Sharice and Shanice, 21, Londyn, 17, and Laianna, 9.

Sharice said she worked security at another location before working at Family Dollar and had been at that store for about a year.

“We were always worried (for his safety), but he was so big; he really was a gentle giant,” she said.

Loyce was reassuring them: “He always said, ‘Nobody’s going to do anything to me,'” she said. “And I believed it because he didn’t do anything to anyone.”

Sharice said Loyce loved going to the gym and teaching his daughters his latest workouts or singing along with them in the car to Dru Hill.

The last time he saw his father was at his sister’s track a week before he died. “She was screaming for Londy, making sure he felt supported.”

Sharice said Loyce raised her daughters to respect themselves and is deeply proud of their accomplishments.

“He let you know, ‘That’s my kid,'” Londyn Wright said.

He plans to attend Dominican University in the fall and study medicine.

“He was so proud of it,” Sharice said. “He will miss many milestones like graduating from high school, prom, and moving into his dorm.”

Londyn said she will remember her father coming to extracurricular activities and how he gave her a hard time with boys. But mostly, she said, she will remember how loving Loyce was.

“He gave the best hug,” she said. “He knew how to make you feel better no matter what.”