2 brothers charged in shooting of Dwyane Wade's cousin
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two brothers were charged Sunday in connection with the murder of Nykea Aldridge, a mother of four and cousin of Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade.
Derren Sorells, 22, and Darwin Sorells Jr., 26, both of Chicago, were each charged with both first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Both are documented gang members and on parole for previous gun charges, police said. Derren Sorells was released just two weeks ago and was wearing an electronic monitoring device.
A Cook County judge denied bail for both men.
On Sunday, prosecutors released details about the shooting, including that Aldridge -- who was pushing a stroller with her newborn after enrolling one of her children in school -- sustained four gunshot wounds: to the right forearm, upper right arm, right eyelid and back of the right side of the head.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said he hopes the arrests "bring some small amount of closure" for the family.
Aldridge, 32, was hit by stray bullets Friday afternoon in Chicago's Parkway Gardens neighborhood. Investigators said Aldridge was an innocent bystander and not the intended target. She had just left the Dulles School of Excellence around 3:30 p.m. in the 6300-block of South Calumet
The Sorells brothers' intended target was a 25-year-old man, who works as a driver-for-hire and was visiting friends at Parkway Gardens, according to prosecutors. Both brothers had guns and were in pursuit of the man when they fired multiple times.
Surveillance cameras in the area captured the shooting as well as both men carrying guns prior to the shooting.
Johnson said the Sorells brothers are repeat offenders and two of about 1,400 individuals who are the primary drivers of gun violence in Chicago.
"I'm frustrated, you should be frustrated, all Chicagoans should be frustrated," Johnson said Sunday.
The guns used in the shooting have not been recovered, authorities said.
One of the brothers was arrested Friday shortly after the shooting. The other was picked up later in the evening. Johnson credited the community's help in nabbing the brothers so soon.
FAMILY VIGIL
Also on Sunday, the family held an emotional vigil.
They embraced, shed tears and released balloons in her memory.
"It's hard for me right now because we were supposed to grow old together," said her sister, Diann Aldridge.
For Nykea Aldridge's mother, this is the second child she has lost to gun violence.
"I miss her. Her life is gone. I know she can't come back," said her mother, whose name also is Diann Aldridge. "I love her. This is my baby girl. It's a life that is gone too soon, too soon she was take away from us."
For the two men now facing charges, her loved ones -- deeply rooted in their faith --offered their forgiveness in prayer.
"We forgive you. In the name of Jesus, we forgive you," said aunt Jolinda Wade.
Wade was not in Chicago on Friday, but joined an ESPN roundtable on Thursday about violence in Chicago. He tweeted about his cousin's death Friday night.
Wade tweeted again on Saturday, saying, "RIP Nykea Aldridge... #EnoughIsEnough."
The family has established a trust fund for Aldridge's four children. Donation checks can be made payable to the Nykea Aldrige Children's Fund and mailed to Seaway National Bank, Attn: Daryl Newell, Chief Retail Officer, 645 E. 87th Street, Chicago, IL 60619.
