Alexandria Imani Burgos, an 18-year-old Hispanic female from Chicago, IL, tragically lost her life on October 19, 2014. Alexandria was struck by a stray bullet while she was inside a kitchen at an apartment building in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. She had gone to pick up her younger brother from his girlfriend's house when shots were fired outside, and the bullets entered through a kitchen window, fatally hitting her in the head and arm.
Alexandria, who had recently graduated from Von Steuben High School and was a freshman at Wilber Wright College with aspirations to become a social worker, died instantly.
Since her death, Alexandria's family has been actively seeking justice and advocating for gun reform. Her parents, Milagros "Millie" Burgos and Rafael Burgos, have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about gun violence and push for legislative changes. Despite their efforts, Alexandria's murder remains unsolved, and no suspects have been identified. The Chicago Police Department has faced challenges in solving the case, as it is one of many unsolved murders in the city. Data shows that a significant percentage of murders in Chicago remain uncleared, adding to the family's frustration and grief.
In the years following Alexandria's death, her family has continued to honor her memory through community gatherings and advocacy work. They have joined forces with other families who have lost loved ones to gun violence, sharing their stories and pushing for stronger gun control measures. Some of the legislative changes they have supported include the assault weapons ban, the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, and the ban on ghost guns. Additionally, they have been involved in proposing new legislation, such as Karina's bill, which aims to ensure the prompt removal of firearms from homes when a domestic violence survivor has a restraining order.
Despite the lack of closure in Alexandria's case, her family remains committed to their mission of preventing gun violence and supporting other affected families. They gather every October to remember Alexandria and continue their advocacy work, hoping that one day justice will be served and that no other family will have to endure the pain they have experienced.
