The violence that plagued Chicago for much of 2012 has spilled over into the new year and it has claimed the life of Chief Keef's stepbrother.

According DNAinfo.com Ulysses "Chris" Gissendanner III was fatally shot in the back of the head in the Far South Side section of the city on Wednesday, Jan 2. The 19-year-old was reportedly sitting in a car while visiting an uncle when he was fired upon. Gissendanner, who raps under the moniker YPN Boomtown, is purportedly the stepson of Keef's biological father, Alfonso Cozart.

Though police have yet to reveal a motive in the shooting, Mr. Cozart admits he has concern for his estranged son, who happens to be one of the city's biggest rap stars.

"As a caring father, who wouldn't worry about that?" Cozart asked. "I do want my son to have success and have a long, positive life, and I hope the best for him."

Cozart also does not want the murder of his stepson to be overshadowed by the many controversies associated with Chief Keef.

"He just graduated high school, and was in college and had a job. He was a positive person," Cozart said. "I'm not trying to get publicity of Chief Keef being my son. I want you to focus on Ulysses. He's the one that’s gone."
Chicago saw over 500 murders in the city last year.

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(Photos from left: Johnny Nunez/WireImage, Chris Gissendanner/Facebook)