Taniya Smith, a 20-year-old youth mentor from Chicago, Illinois, was tragically shot and killed during a block club party on the Near North Side on August 25, 2024. The incident occurred at the Frances Cabrini rowhomes, near the intersection of Cambridge and Delaware, a location where Taniya had grown up and felt safest among the community she knew since kindergarten.
Taniya was a dedicated youth mentor with Hood Heroes, an organization that helps teens secure summer jobs.
Her mother, Cherie Stanfield, had dropped her off at the party, unaware that it would be the last time she would see her daughter alive. The gathering, which was part of an end-of-the-summer bash, turned deadly when an unknown offender shot Taniya in the chest early Sunday morning.
The scene was chaotic, with cell phone video capturing officers trying to disperse the crowd and paramedics struggling to reach Taniya. Due to the dense crowd, paramedics had to carry her blocks away to get her into an ambulance. Despite these efforts, Taniya later died at the hospital.
Taniya's death has had a profound impact on her family and the community. Her mother expressed deep grief, stating that her heart felt like it was breaking and that she had grown up with her daughter over the past 20 years. Taniya's aunt, Xiomara Stanfield, also lamented the loss, saying that her niece did not deserve such a tragic fate.
As of the current reports, police have not confirmed if any charges have been filed in connection with the shooting. A man was seen being placed into police custody in cell phone video footage, but the police have not provided any further details regarding his involvement or any potential charges. The case remains under investigation.
