Family seeks answers after mom of 3 gunned down near The Original Maxwell Street: 'Just devastated'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 30-year-old mother of three was fatally shot early Sunday outside of a West Side eatery, and her family is mourning what they describe as a senseless act of violence.

Family members identified the victim as Yolanda Chaytor. According to police, the shooting occurred just after 3:30 a.m. Sunday near The Original Maxwell Street, a popular hot dog stand at Harrison Street and Independence Boulevard.

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Chaytor's sister, Sayisha Lloyd, said the family is struggling to come to terms with the loss while also caring for Chaytor's three children, ages 5, 7, and 8.

"We're just devastated. We at a real loss for words. This does not feel real," Lloyd said.

Lloyd said Chaytor had been visiting a friend who lived near the restaurant. According to Lloyd, Chaytor left on her own to get something to eat late at night.

Police said the victim was standing outside when she became involved in a verbal altercation with an unknown man. Authorities said the man then pulled out a gun and fired multiple times, striking her in the body and face before fleeing in a silver SUV.

Lloyd said Chaytor's children are having difficulty understanding their mother's death.

"They don't understand. They can't process that they're not going to ever see their mother again," Lloyd said.

Reflecting on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, Lloyd said, "She just wanted to get something to eat, and went to a late-night eatery and lost her life. It's too much violence in Chicago. This is becoming way too common. As a woman you should be able to verbally protect yourself and tell a person to leave you alone, you know, without someone taking your life."

Lloyd described her sister as a quiet person and an introvert who worked two jobs to support her children. She also said Chaytor was an artist.

"She didn't know anybody. She didn't have enemies. It probably didn't even dawn on her like I probably shouldn't even go over there. This, like, is not the best neighborhood. But she, 'I'm hungry. I'm going to go across the way to get some food' and that was that," Lloyd said.

The family hopes investigators will be able to identify a suspect through surveillance video and information related to the silver SUV that was seen leaving the scene.

In the meantime, Lloyd said she is raising money to help meet the needs of her sister's children.

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