On October 15, 2017, Simone McKay, a 26-year-old mother of two and a student at Chicago State University, was tragically shot outside her home in Chicago. The incident occurred near midnight in the 9600 block of South Forest Avenue, during a heavy rainstorm. McKay was reportedly attempting to head back inside her house when she was fatally shot in the head.
Witnesses mentioned hearing gunshots amidst the thunderstorm, and neighbors later realized the true extent of the violence when police arrived on the scene. The shooting had the appearance of being targeted rather than random, with one neighbor questioning who would be outside at such a time during bad weather if not for a specific purpose.
McKay was known in her community as a quiet and dignified individual who largely kept to herself. She was nearing graduation, studying biology at Chicago State University, and was looking forward to beginning a new chapter of her life. The circumstances surrounding her death deeply affected her family and friends. Her aunt, Sheila McKay, spoke to the media, expressing how shattered she felt upon learning of her niece's death, likening it to the feeling of being physically struck.
Neighbors reported conflicting details: some heard an argument prior to the gunfire, while others suggested McKay may have been trying to avoid the rain and return home quickly. The tragic scene was made even more distressing as her body remained on the front steps during the storm until law enforcement could fully assess the situation. At the time of the incident, McKay’s children, aged five and two, were not present at the house. The police are still investigating the case, which they suspect could be linked to domestic issues, but no suspects have been identified as of now. Her death adds to the sobering list of homicides in Chicago, which has struggled with high rates of violence, especially in underserved neighborhoods facing systemic challenges.
