Woman found shot to death near Chicago school
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police said a woman was shot and killed near an elementary school in the Austin neighborhood early Monday morning.
The body was lying in a grassy area near the sidewalk just hours before school began at Spencer Technology Academy, police said.
Police said the woman was shot in the head in the 5000-block of West Maypole Avenue before 2:00 a.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said she was approximately 25 years old, but have not released her identity.
"I'm hoping that they do find out who did this. I'm also hoping that the city comes up with a plan to stop this violence. That's the main thing. It's happening everywhere every day," said school worker Dana Balark.
Police shut down the block to investigate the shooting and search for shell casings. No arrests have been made after the shooting.
As they made their way to school Monday morning, many kids and parents in the area were already aware that they were walking through what hours earlier police had taped off as a crime scene.
"When I woke up this morning I seen the news and that's when I had seen what happened and I think it's crazy because we got little kids coming to school and it's dangerous out here," said parent Charles Williams."
Sherre Evans normally brings her three kids to the school every morning, but she took a little extra time with them Monday.
"I drop 'em off, but I don't normally get out, so today I got out just to make sure everything was ok for them," Evans said.
Safe Passage personnel were on hand to try to keep the kids safe on their way to and from school.
Neighbors said it's difficult for parents and children in the community where gun violence is all too common. Still, they say, this shooting brings that violence too close to what is supposed to be a safe haven for kids.
"Our kids in our community, they don't have post-traumatic, they're still going through the trauma. The trauma never ends for them," said Clifton Boone McFowler of Build Chicago.
