Patricia D. Chew, aged 24, was fatally shot on September 28, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois. The tragic incident took place in the Back of the Yards neighborhood when Patricia and her mother, Lolita Wells, were attacked. The two women were exiting a car after a family outing, preparing to enter their home, when a gunman in a vehicle opened fire. Patricia, who was pregnant at the time, was killed alongside her mother. Her 11-month-old son, Princeton, was also shot but survived the attack. The shooting also left two men wounded, who were later taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where their conditions were stabilized.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. near 53rd and Aberdeen streets. Patricia's sister, Persha Chew, who was carrying groceries into the house, ran outside after hearing gunshots. She found her sister and nephew lying on the ground and immediately picked up the wounded baby, trying to comfort him until the police arrived. Chicago police officers rushed the injured baby to Stroger Hospital, and fortunately, he was declared to be in stable condition. The attack wiped out two generations of the family in a matter of moments, and no suspect was immediately taken into custody for the shooting.
The violence came during a time when Chicago was experiencing a significant surge in gun violence, with multiple shootings occurring across the city. The incident drew attention from city officials, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who expressed his frustration with the prevalence of guns and the lack of consequences for those using them recklessly. The tragedy was just one of several incidents during a particularly violent period in Chicago, reflecting the city's ongoing struggle with gun violence and the innocent lives it continues to impact. Patricia's death serves as a grim reminder of the need for greater action to curb the violence affecting Chicago's communities.
