Chantell Grant, a 26-year-old African American woman, was tragically shot and killed on July 26, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois. She was a mother of four children and an active member of the anti-violence group Mothers Against Senseless Killings . Grant and her friend, Andrea Stoudemire, 36, were working as peacekeepers on the corner of West 75th Street and South Stewart Avenue in the Englewood neighborhood when they were gunned down. The two women were standing on the sidewalk around 10 p.m.
when a blue SUV drove up, and an occupant opened fire, hitting both women multiple times in the chest. They were taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The shooting occurred in a neighborhood where MASK members had been working tirelessly to create a safe space for children and families. The group had been occupying the corner for years, hosting barbecues and offering food and counseling to youth in an effort to curb gun violence. Despite their efforts, the violence that claimed Grant's life was a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the community.
The investigation into the deaths of Chantell Grant and Andrea Stoudemire is ongoing. Chicago police have not made any arrests, and no suspects have been identified. Police spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stated that there is no evidence to suggest that the women were the intended targets of the shooting. The gunfire was reportedly meant for a man affiliated with a Chicago street gang who had recently been released from prison. This man, who was also injured in the shooting, has not been cooperating with the police.
The deaths of Grant and Stoudemire have left the community in mourning and have highlighted the need for continued efforts to address gun violence in Chicago. MASK founder Tamar Manasseh emphasized the personal threat felt by the group, stating that the killing of mothers in a place meant for safety and sisterhood is a direct attack on their mission. The group remains committed to their work, despite the tragic loss of two of their members.
