Community remembers Shamiya Adams, 11-year-old killed by stray bullet

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A vigil was held Sunday night for Shamiya Adams, an 11-year-old struck by a stray bullet that came through a window while she was at a slumber party.

The shooting took place Friday night in the 3900 block of West Gladys in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.

It was a day of mourning and remembrance for Shamiya Adams, as family started Sunday morning at church and went all the way through a candlelight vigil Sunday evening, where her mother said that the community's support is getting her through it.

"I don't wish this on nobody," said Shaneetha Goodloe. "My daughter was so sweet and so kind. She kiss me on my cheek every night and told me how much she loved me."

Even in the face of unspeakable loss, a mother calls for peace.

"I don't want nobody to try and go retaliate, because I want no more killing. Let police do what they do," Goodloe said.

Surrounded by friends and family in the neighborhood where she grew up, Goodloe spoke publicly for the first time about her daughter, who was killed by a stray bullet while at a sleepover in Garfield Park Friday night.

"Just keep her in your thoughts, don't let this one day, days after the funeral everybody just forget," said Goodloe.

The little girl was remembered by many Sunday. At church, her pastor offered a special blessing to all of the congregation's children.

"She was vibrant, full of life, did well in school. She was almost like one of my children," said Pastor George Daniels, First Baptist Congregational Church.

Meanwhile, at an earlier prayer vigil, family and friends joined public officials and community activists, including other mothers who also know what it's like to lose a child to gun violence.

"I thought my child's death won't be in vain," said Joy McCormmick. "Something will change. Someone will care enough to stop the shooting, to put the guns down. And yet, here we are again."

An $8,000 reward is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest. In the meantime, investigators say they are working on several leads in the ongoing investigation.