Shaquise Buckner, a 16-year-old from Chicago, was killed in a drive-by shooting on August 16, 2014, in the Englewood neighborhood. The shooting occurred around 12:45 a.m. while Shaquise was standing outside a house. She was struck in the head and died at the scene. A 20-year-old man who was standing next to her was also injured; police believe he was the intended target. The incident took place during a weekend of heightened gun violence in Chicago, which saw seven people killed and 29 others injured.
Shaquise was remembered as a bright student with dreams of becoming a forensic scientist. Her family described her as someone who did not deserve the fate that befell her, emphasizing her academic achievements and aspirations. Her death, occurring just one week after the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, further highlighted the violence impacting young Black lives. The tragedy of her death underscores the continuous struggle against gun violence in Chicago.
