2 women, boy killed in Grand Crossing shooting; 2 boys critically wounded, Chicago police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two women and a young boy were killed and two other children were critically wounded in a shooting in the Grand Crossing neighborhood Thursday morning, Chicago police said.

An 8-year-old boy died from his injuries at Comer Children's Hospital hours after the two women died, The County Cook Medical Examiner and the Chicago Police Department confirmed Thursday night.

Investigators said the attack was carried out early was targeted and personal.

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Relatives said Capri Edwards and her aunt, Nakeeshia Strong, were both killed when several armed gunmen targeted the home Strong owned.

Neighbors reported hearing a barrage of gunfire around 6:15 a.m. and that's when police said several ski mask-clad gunman opened fire on the house in the 7100 block of South Woodlawn Avenue.

"Investigation revels that two vehicles pulled up into the area, multiple subjects exited those vehicles, and fired at this residence," CPD Deputy Chief Don Jerome said. "Multiple shell casings were recovered from both a rifle and a handgun at the scene. That investigation is ongoing."

"All I saw was two people jumping off the porch," a witness said. 'After I heard the shots, I was looking out the window. I thought it was fireworks."

Police said the attack was targeted and stems from an earlier incident.

Two of Edwards' children, a five-year-old boy and a seven-year-old boy, were also critically wounded. Family members said she shielded her one-year-old child from danger.

Strong's 19-year-old son Frank Mixon is now trying to cope with the sudden loss of his mother, cousin and three young relatives.

"His mom would have wanted him to continue to play basketball. We're not going to allow him to now shut down and do something different," said high school basketball coach Lawrence Jackson.

Mixon was supported by his coaches as he prepares to head to college on a basketball scholarship.

An eight-year-old cousin of the kids was also critically wounded. The three wounded children were each transported to Comer Children's Hospital.

Family said Edwards shielded her 1-year-old from the danger, and that child was reportedly unharmed.

Concerned relatives were left devastated after learning about the violence. They left without making any comments.

"My heart bleeds for the community which is a relatively quiet community and isn't really used to this sort of violence and I pray that this doesn't happen again," 31st Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy.

Area 1 detectives are investigating and no one is in custody.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued the following statement about the shooting Thursday evening.

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