On Monday night, community members distributed flyers with information about the reward. Some of them are friends of Christina Waters. Some have never met her. But all of them went door to door hoping not only to find the person who shot her but also to try to bring an end to the random violence that has plagued the community.
"We're angry and outraged but we're here because we come to take action. We refuse to get comfortable or immune to children being shot," said Fr. Michael Pfleger, St. Sabina Church.
Christina Waters and Kris Owens are best friends. They went to prom together in the spring before graduating from Von Steuben High School. She played basketball. She was supposed to leave for college on Tuesday. Instead, she is in a hospital bed recovering from two gunshots, one to her backside, the other to her temple.
Owens was also shot but was released from the hospital. They were leaving a church picnic in the early evening hours a little over a week ago when they were hit by apparently random gunfire.
"Christina is compassionate. Christina loves her friends and family. She did not deserve this," said Cynthia Waters, mother.
"I think this was any parent's worst nightmare," said James Rose, father.
Family and members of the teens distributed flyers in the neighborhood where they were shot. They believe someone must have seen something that will help lead them to the shooter. Since the shooting Waters' friends and teammates have stayed at the hospital praying for her recovery.
"It's really horrifying. It should be an eye opener that no one is safe," said Pedro Alonzo, Von Steuben principal.
Fr. Pfleger says he hopes they're found to send a message that if you shoot children, you will go to jail.
