Candice Dickerson, a 36-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on April 26, 2019, in Chicago, IL. She was a mother of three and a pharmacy technician at Norwegian American Hospital. On that fateful evening, Candice was at a MetroPCS store on the city's Southwest Side, looking to reward one of her sons with a new cellphone for his academic achievements. While she was inside the store with her sons, a stray bullet crashed through the front window and struck her in the head.
Despite being rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, she was pronounced dead.
The investigation revealed that the bullet that killed Candice was fired by gang members Bryant Mitchell, 27, and Marco Zabala, 28, who were targeting rivals. Both men were members of the Satan’s Disciples street gang. On the day of the incident, they were seen flashing rival gang signs at a group of men in a Chrysler sedan moments before the shooting. Zabala retrieved a gun and handed it to Mitchell, who fired five shots at the car. Unfortunately, one of those bullets struck Candice inside the store.
In the aftermath of the shooting, both Mitchell and Zabala were charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. They were convicted by a jury in the summer of 2022. On January 3, 2023, they were each sentenced to more than 50 years in prison. The sentencing brought some measure of justice to Candice's family, who expressed their grief and pain in court. Her mother and sister spoke about the profound loss they felt and the impact on Candice's three sons, who were left without their mother.
The tragic death of Candice Dickerson highlights the devastating consequences of gang violence and the innocent lives it claims. Her family continues to mourn her loss, remembering her as a dedicated mother who worked hard to provide for her children and give them the best life possible.
