Ishma Stewart, a 20-year-old college student, was tragically shot and killed on May 4, 2008, in Chicago's South Side. Ishma, a journalism student at Loyola University Chicago, was sitting in a car at the time of the shooting in the Canaryville neighborhood. Police suggested that she was an unintended victim caught in the crossfire of a gang-related gunfight involving a high-powered assault rifle.
Despite her untimely death, Ishma was remembered by her friends and family as an ambitious young woman with dreams of making a difference through her writing.
Ishma grew up with a passion for storytelling, a love that she nurtured from childhood into her young adulthood. She graduated early from Oak Park and River Forest High School and aimed to become a journalist, hoping to write for prestigious outlets like Time magazine. Her brother recalled her determination, sharing how she never gave up in the face of setbacks, especially when seeking a summer internship just days before her death. Her poetry often reflected the struggles she witnessed, especially the impact of poverty on her community. Her work resonated with those who knew her, demonstrating her dedication to exploring social issues through her writing.
At her funeral, over 200 family members and friends gathered to mourn and celebrate Ishma’s life. Many remembered her as a kind, positive individual who made friends easily and had a strong desire to improve the world around her. Several speakers at the funeral denounced the senseless violence that took her life, emphasizing the toll such tragedies take on communities. Ishma's mother, friends, and relatives all expressed the profound loss they felt, highlighting her potential and the dreams that were cruelly cut short.
