Tyrone Lawson, 17, was killed in a parking lot at Chicago State University. He was not the intended target.
One year ago Thursday, Pamela Wright-Young's life changed forever. Her 17-year-old son was shot to death. Tyrone was hit after someone opened fire following a fight that broke out at the end of a basketball game between rivals Morgan Park and Simeon high schools.
"He left our house, and at 9:35 he was dead," said Wright-Young.
Wright-Young and her husband Gregory allowed Tyrone to go to the game after he asked permission. Because the game was on a school night, they say their biggest concern wasn't his safety, but making sure Tyrone did his homework.
"For children to go in the middle of the week, we wouldn't let him go if we were not comfortable with the environment there," said stepfather Gregory Young.
As a graduate of Chicago State, Wright-Young was comfortable with the environment. In addition, at the beginning of the school year following a fight at a Morgan Park-Simeon football game, all Morgan Park students received a letter from the principal. It states that "modifications to security plans have been made in order to maintain a safe environment during sporting events."
The letter is attached to a lawsuit filed Thursday by Wright-Young against Chicago State and Chicago Public Schools.
Attorney Marty Dolan says while security was present for the fight that broke out inside the basketball game, there was nothing outside as spectators spilled into the parking lot. Wright-Young says the goal of the lawsuit is to make sure adequate security is provided at all high school sporting events.
"I hope and pray the next event, no matter what it is, that your baby child comes home," said Wright-Young.
Chicago State University and Chicago Public Schools say their legal departments have not had a chance to review the suit yet.
Wright-Young said she is also closely following the criminal case. Shortly after the shooting, two people were charged with her son's murder.
