Africa S. Bass, a 23-year-old African American woman, was tragically shot and killed on July 27, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 12:05 a.m., as she was walking on the sidewalk in the 8700 block of South Burley Avenue. According to reports, a black SUV approached, and someone inside the vehicle opened fire, striking Bass in the back. She was immediately taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:51 a.m.
This devastating event happened on the same day as her son's 5th birthday, adding an extra layer of heartbreak to the tragedy.
Africa Bass had recently moved into her new home in the South Shore neighborhood, just hours before the shooting. She was accompanied by her aunt, Sade Wilson, who witnessed the attack. Wilson recounted that Bass was also shot in the chest and collapsed while holding her hand. Bass was a mother of two young children, a 2-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son. Her family described her as a strong-willed individual who always spoke her mind and was deeply loved by those around her.
The investigation into Africa Bass's murder revealed that she might have been an innocent victim caught in the middle of gang retaliation. Neighbors suggested that the intended target lived in the same complex and had sustained minor injuries to his hand during the shooting. Despite initial interviews with a possible person of interest, no arrests were made, and the case remained unsolved as Area South detectives continued their investigation.
The community's response to Bass's death was one of profound grief and a call for change. Vigils and marches were held, where family members, friends, and activists gathered to mourn her loss and demand an end to the violence plaguing their neighborhood. Bass's family, particularly her mother Sheila Jones and sister Jovanna Jones, expressed their anguish and disbelief over the senseless killing. They emphasized the need for the community to come together and put an end to the cycle of violence that claimed the life of a beloved young mother.
