At vigil for slain woman, mayor, Auburn Gresham community stand united against violence
Hundreds gathered Friday at the corner of 79th and May streets, where 26-year-old Gabryel Ayers was shot and killed, to remember her life and call to end gun violence in the city.
"We need justice for our children," said Pamela Bosely, co-founder of Purpose Over Pain, a South Side organization formed by parents who have lost their children to gun violence.
"These are our children's lives being shot and killed. If you don't do anything about it, let me tell you, you're going to stand up with us here next. And this is not where you want to be," Bosely said.
Ayers was sitting in the front seat of a vehicle Wednesday afternoon with 27-year-old Devin Draper when they were both shot. Draper's 1-year-old daughter was in the backseat.
Their vehicle struck an SUV, police said. Ayers was taken to Little Company of Mary Medical Center where she later died, and Draper was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in good condition. The child wasn't hurt, but she was taken to Christ for observation.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church, a longtime gun violence activist, and several other city officials and police gathered with members of the Auburn Gresham community for a prayer vigil and outdoor roll call Friday to show the community remains strong and resilient despite ongoing violence.
"This tragedy continues to tear at the thread of the soul of Chicago. There's tragedies like this that remind us of how much more work that we have to do," Johnson told the crowd.
"It's not enough to eliminate violence. We have to replace it with good-funded schools and good-paying jobs and access to mental healthcare," Johnson said.
Adrienne Swanigan-Williams, the mother of Tremayne Henderson, who was killed in 2017, was in the crowd and said she remembers Ayers as a sweet and loving person.
"She loves her baby. She was a hairstylist," she said. "It's unfortunate that this happened to her. All I can do is pray for her family."
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for anyone with information about the shooters. They urge people to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-535-STOP or send info on www.cpdtip.com. Individuals will remain completely anonymous.