CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago contractor was shot and killed near United Center on Tuesday, his family told ABC7.

Jerry Lewis had a profound impact on the construction community and those on the West Side, his wife said.

Lewis was killed just before 1 p.m. near West Madison and South Leavitt streets.

The 67-year-old’s family said he was shot while walking between offices when he was approached by two gunmen who opened fire.

He was shot in the head and was rushed to Stroger hospital where he died, police said.

“My husband just wanted to see everyone be better and make it,” wife Zeandra Lewis said.

Lewis’ family said he was a successful Chicago contractor and developer who was instrumental in Project 1901, the $7-billion development of property around the United Center.

“He was going to his office, and that’s when two guys came out of nowhere and shot him,” son Zachery Lewis said.

He was mentoring small businesses, like Traci Quinn’s Pink Hats Construction and Development group.

Authorities have not outlined a motive for the attack or given details about what led to the violence.

The Cook County medical examiner has not officially identified the victim.

Chicago police said investigators are questioning two people of interest.

SEE ALSO | Man, 67 gunned down near United Center in broad daylight; CPD questioning 2 people of interest

His colleagues and longtime friends explained how much he meant to them and the West Side community Wednesday.

“It’s terrible because he was a guy who worked in the community. As far as I could remember, he worked with me every year, help feeding kids in the community, back-to-school picnics,” longtime friend Parker Turner said.

Lewis was known for mentoring people from underserved communities and specifically women trying to join the construction industry.

Students of the program said he held classes at his offices once a week, bringing in industry professionals to learn the trade and even gain access to the 1901 project.

“It’s huge; it’s gonna be a 10-year project. So his goal was to be able to make sure that us small businesses, people who live and thrive in the community are able to come benefit and work,” Quinn said.

“It’s sad, especially knowing it’s someone I knew. It’s pretty sad. It’s just the times we live in now; nobody has respect for anything,” former colleague Michael Lustro said.