Man charged after mom, church volunteer killed by stray bullet in front of Austin home

Saturday, March 25, 2023
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A suspect has been arrested and charged with shooting a Chicago mother to death as she got out of her car.

Tracey Showers was killed in the Austin neighborhood on February 28.
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With the arrest, Showers' family said they feel a bit of relief.

Gathered within the church walls at Greater St. John's in North Austin, ongoing prayer lead to some relief after police said they've arrested the person who killed one of their longtime church members and volunteer.

"It's been a hard, long, difficult time for me," said Showers' husband, Pernell Showers. "She was the light of this family and she was someone that we all looked to for inspiration -- who inspired us all."

"There is no pain like the pain of getting the call that someone you love that much is gone," said Showers' best friend, Pamela Frazier.



Prosecutors said late last month on Le Moyne, near Central on the city's West Side, Baseer Muhammad fired shots from a car then sped away.

A stray bullet hit Showers in the face, just as she was parking her car outside of her home and minutes after last seeing her sister at church.

"I did the U-turn in the street, came back to the house. When I got there, the paramedics were there. They were working on her," said Showers' sister, Derene Cook.
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The 55-year-old later died at the hospital, leaving only memories behind.

"There's pictures of her everywhere in the house. There's memories of her in every room," her husband said.

Though the arrest can't bring her back to her husband and three children, her family said the charges against Muhammad are the first steps toward justice and closure.



"If we can get sentenced, guilty, I'm good. We're good. And, that's what I want," her husband said.

A judge ruled that Muhammad be held on no bond. He's due back in court on Thursday.

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