Salena Claybourne, a 35-year-old African American woman from Chicago, Illinois, tragically lost her life on March 7, 2022. Salena, who worked as a security guard for WGN-TV, was fatally shot in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. when she stopped at a gas station on South Jeffery Boulevard after finishing her shift.
As she was filling up her car, two brothers, Dameonte Watson, 17, and Gregory Watson, 22, approached her vehicle with the intent to carjack it. The situation escalated when they noticed her security guard uniform, leading Gregory to open fire, striking Salena multiple times in the shoulder and face. She was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
The Watson brothers were quickly apprehended by the police, thanks to surveillance footage that captured the entire incident. They were seen hiding the firearms used in the shooting behind garages a few blocks away from the gas station. Both brothers were charged with first-degree murder, with Dameonte being charged as an adult. The motive behind the shooting was initially believed to be a carjacking gone wrong, but the presence of Salena's security uniform seemed to have caused the brothers to panic and resort to violence.
Salena's death left her family and community in deep mourning. She was a mother of two teenage daughters, aged 14 and 15, who were devastated by the loss of their mother. Her family had long urged her to move out of Chicago due to the city's high crime rates, and she had plans to relocate by the end of March 2022. Salena was remembered by her colleagues at WGN-TV as a friendly, thoughtful, and hardworking individual who was an integral part of their team.
The legal proceedings against the Watson brothers began shortly after their arrest. Both were held without bail, and their case drew significant media attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the young ages of the perpetrators. The community rallied around Salena's family, raising funds to support her daughters and cover funeral expenses. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago and the dangers faced by those working in security roles.
