Jasmine Neal, a 27-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on June 22, 2020, in Chicago, IL. The incident occurred in the Gresham neighborhood, where Jasmine Neal, along with her mother, Frances Neal, and her sister, Shonta Harris, were shot in a domestic-related incident. The perpetrator, John Matthews, 25, was identified as the shooter.
The altercation began when Matthews' girlfriend, Shonta Harris, declined to cook breakfast and braid his hair, leading to a violent outburst. Matthews first assaulted Harris, prompting her to call for help. When her family arrived, the situation escalated further.
Matthews shot Frances Neal multiple times before turning the gun on Shonta Harris and Jasmine Neal. Jasmine Neal attempted to flee, running into the street with her hands up, but Matthews chased her down and shot her in the head. Frances Neal and Jasmine Neal were pronounced dead at the scene, while Shonta Harris initially survived but later succumbed to her injuries due to complications from the gunshot wounds.
John Matthews fled the scene and was later apprehended in Iowa after a car accident. He was extradited back to Illinois and charged with three counts of first-degree murder. During his bail hearing, it was revealed that Matthews' own grandmother, who witnessed the attack, identified him as the shooter. Matthews was held without bail, and the case proceeded through the Cook County court system. The tragic deaths of Jasmine Neal, her mother, and her sister highlight the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues within communities.
