Addison Sanders, a 10-year-old girl from Chicago, Illinois, tragically lost her life on August 27, 2018, in a harrowing incident that shocked the community. Addison, along with her twin brother Mason Sanders, was fatally shot by their father, Derrick Sanders, in what authorities described as a "senseless" murder-suicide. The incident occurred in the family's apartment located in the West Rogers Park neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago.
Derrick Sanders, 45, used a shotgun to kill his children before turning the weapon on himself. The children were found with gunshot wounds to the back of their heads, and their deaths were ruled homicides following autopsies conducted by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Sanders family had a joint custody arrangement, with the children living primarily with their mother in Uptown and visiting their father every other weekend. On the morning of the incident, neighbors reported hearing three loud gunshots with long pauses in between, which ultimately led to the discovery of the tragic scene. Derrick Sanders was found dead in the hallway of the apartment with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his face. The police investigation revealed that Derrick Sanders had no prior history with the Chicago Police Department, and there were no previous indications of such violent tendencies.
The community was left in mourning, with many expressing disbelief and sorrow over the loss of the young twins. Addison Sanders was remembered as a creative and kind-hearted student at Walt Disney Magnet School, where she was affectionately nicknamed "Addi." Friends and family described her as amazing and nice, with a bright smile that could light up any room. The tragic deaths of Addison and Mason Sanders highlighted the devastating impact of domestic violence and mental health issues, prompting discussions on the need for better support systems and preventive measures.
In the aftermath of the incident, there were no arrests or ongoing litigations related to the deaths, as the perpetrator, Derrick Sanders, had taken his own life. The case was closed following the confirmation of the murder-suicide by the authorities. The community continued to grapple with the loss, holding vigils and memorials to honor the memory of Addison and Mason Sanders, and to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and family support.
