On April 14, 2010, a tragic shooting occurred in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Twanda Thompson and several of her family members. The incident took place inside a home in the 7200-block of South Mozart Avenue around 4:30 a.m. Twanda Thompson, who was pregnant at the time, was among the victims. Other fatalities included her 7-month-old son, Jihad Larry; her 16-year-old niece, Keyshai Fields, who was also pregnant; and her 3-year-old niece, Keleasha Larry. Two other relatives, Leona Larry, 57, and 13-year-old Demond Larry, were wounded but survived. ((https://abc7chicago.com/archive/7385415/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The perpetrator was identified as James Larry, a 33-year-old man from Madison, Wisconsin, and Twanda Thompson's husband. Family members reported that James Larry had recently converted to Islam and had been exhibiting strange behavior, claiming that voices were instructing him to kill his family. He allegedly believed that the absence of the moon and sun in the sky was a sign to commit the murders. After the shooting, he expressed remorse for running out of bullets, indicating he might have continued his rampage otherwise. ((https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/marquette-park-murder-charges-james-larry/1894747/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Following the incident, James Larry was apprehended by Chicago police near 59th and Racine, approximately 90 minutes after the shootings. He was subsequently charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder. In May 2011, James Larry pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The court proceedings revealed that he had a history of criminal activity, including drug possession and battery, and had previously been incarcerated. ((https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-killing-famliy/1900250/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The community mourned the loss of Twanda Thompson and her family members. Funeral services for Twanda and her 7-month-old son, Jihad, were held at New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on the West Side of Chicago. The tragedy left a lasting impact on the Marquette Park neighborhood, as friends, family, and neighbors grappled with the senseless loss of life. ((https://abc7chicago.com/archive/7404631/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
