$10K reward announced in fatal shooting of Rev. Robin Hood's grandson
Rev. Robin Hood has fought against violence for more than 25 years
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago anti-violence activist and his family are calling for justice after his own grandson was gunned down.
Ra-Shaun Hood, 16, was killed on Friday night.
His grandfather, Rev. Robin Hood, who is a prominent community activist, demanded justice Monday morning.
A group called The Leaders Network, which includes Rev. Ira Acree and Father Michael Pfleger, announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrests in Ra-Shaun's case.
"Their lives will never be the same because of this heinous, viscous, senseless act of violence," Acree said.
The Rev. Robin Hood, who has been a long-time West Side pastor, is heartbroken.
Ra-Shaun Hood was shot in the chest and killed at around 10 p.m. on Friday near 81st Street and Racine Avenue. Police found him on the sidewalk.
16-year-old grandson of Chicago community activist fatally shot in Auburn-Gresham, CPD says
Rev. Hood said the family doesn't know anyone who would want to hurt him.
"From the White House to the outhouse, we have become so numb to gun violence, that we all use that as a crutch to say, 'I'm glad it ain't mine,'" Rev. Hood said. "But guess what? We are here to tell you, you can have next. Just like my DNA is on the blood, your child's, your daughter's, your son's,
your mother's, your brother's blood could be next."
Rev. Hood said his grandson was a high school honor student who loved playing basketball and making friends and family laugh.
Meanwhile, ministers from the community along with the Hood family and other parents who have experienced violence attended the news conference Monday. They want convictions, and they want the killers off the streets.
Hood's grandmother said the family has yet to see the boy's body, since he was killed. And, while they wait, they spent Monday morning praying over the very spot they said they heard him crying out.
"His blood is crying out from the ground," Rev. Hood said.
The teen's shooting was one of dozens in Chicago over the weekend.
"Lots of kids get killed in their bathrooms, in their bedrooms, while they're working on their computers to do their homework. No one is safe," said Louvenia Hood, the teen's grandmother.
Fear won't keep Louvenia Hood silent.
"I'm not worried about anything. I have to do what the Lord has put me on the planet to do," she said.
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