Mass shooting in Grand Crossing area leaves three dead, including a child – NBC Chicago

Two women and an eight-year-old boy were killed when several gunmen fired a hail of bullets following an argument in Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood on July 4.

The shooting, which left a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old boy in critical condition, occurred around 6:15 a.m. along South Woodlawn near 71st Street.

A third child, 8-year-old Bryson Orr, was initially hospitalized in critical condition. He died later Thursday, Chicago police said.

Bryson’s mother, Nakeeisha Strong, and her niece, Capri Edwards, were also killed when bullets pierced the windows of Nakeeisha’s home.

“My mother is such an amazing woman,” said Frank Mixon, Strong’s teenage son. “Nobody showed me how to work as hard as she did. Working day and night to take care of children who aren’t her own, no matter what it takes.”

Frank was inside the home when armed men drove up in two cars, got out and riddled the house with bullets, police said. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the area and immediately rendered aid to the victims, authorities said.

Frank, a Comer College basketball standout and recent graduate, received support from his coaches on Thursday.

“We want to make sure we continue to support him in pursuing his dream,” basketball coach Lawrence Jackson said. “His mother would want him to continue playing basketball. She’s not going to allow him to stop now and do something else.”

Frank called his mother’s death a “major setback” but echoed Jackson’s message.

“…But if my mother were here, she would say the same thing: ‘Shut up and move on,'” Frank said. “My mother was one of the most wonderful women you could meet in your life.”

Chicago police were still searching for the suspects late Thursday.

Mayor Brandon Johnson issued the following statement regarding the shooting:

“On behalf of the City of Chicago, we extend our deepest condolences to the families and community of Grand Crossing as they mourn the victims of this morning’s shooting.

We will continue to work with our partners at the Chicago Police Department, 5th District Councilman Desmon Yancy, and victim services partners to support this community on its path to healing following this tragic incident.”