Eshani Mayfield, a 16-year-old African American girl, tragically lost her life on October 29, 2017, in Chicago, IL. The incident occurred in the Woodlawn neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. Eshani, who was also known as Eshunte Mayfield, was a cheerleader at Amundsen High School. On that fateful evening, she was inside an apartment in the 6600 block of South Marquette when an acquaintance, another 16-year-old girl, accidentally discharged a firearm, striking Eshani in the eye.
Eshani was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Cook County medical examiner's office initially identified the victim as Eshani Mayfield, but the school's website listed her as Eshunte. The autopsy revealed that she died of a gunshot wound to the head, and her death was ruled a homicide. The incident was described as an accidental shooting, and multiple teenagers were present in the apartment at the time of the shooting.
Following the incident, three individuals were charged in connection with Eshani's death. Joshua Baker, a 19-year-old male who lived on the same block as the shooting, was charged with one felony count of obstruction of justice for destroying evidence from the shooting. It was unclear what evidence Baker was accused of destroying. He was released on his own recognizance and was scheduled to appear in court.
The 16-year-old girl who accidentally discharged the firearm was charged as a juvenile with involuntary manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm. Additionally, a 17-year-old boy was charged as a juvenile with obstructing justice and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Both teenagers appeared in juvenile court, where the judge found probable cause and ordered them to be held in custody until their next hearing.
The Chicago Public Schools' Crisis Management Unit provided grief counseling and support to students and staff members at Amundsen High School following the tragic incident. The school community was deeply affected by the loss of Eshani, and efforts were made to support those who were grieving.
