Greater Grand Crossing mass shooting leaves 3 dead, including child – NBC Chicago

Two women and an 8-year-old boy died after multiple shooters unleashed a hail of bullets following a July 4 dispute in Chicago's Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood.

The shooting, which left a 5-year-old and 7-year-old boy in critical condition, happened around 6:15 a.m. along South Woodlawn near 71st Street.

A third victim, an 8-year-old boy identified as Bryson Orr, was hospitalized in critical condition. He died later Thursday, Chicago police said.

Bryson's mother, Nakeeisha Strong, and his niece, Capri Edwards, were also killed when bullets pierced the windows of Nakeeisha's home.

“My mother was an incredible woman,” said Frank Mixon, Strong’s teenage son. “No one showed me how to work hard like she did. Day and night, she took care of children that weren’t hers, no matter what.”

Frank was inside the home when gunmen arrived in two cars, got out and shot the residence, police said. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the area and immediately rendered aid to the victims, authorities said.

Frank, a standout basketball player and recent graduate of Comer College Prep, received support from his coaches Thursday.

“We want to make sure we continue to support him so he can pursue his dream,” basketball coach Lawrence Jackson said. “His mother would want him to continue playing basketball. She’s not going to allow him to stop and do something different.”

Frank called his mother's death a “major setback,” but echoed Jackson's message.

“But if my mother were here, she would say the same thing, take her chin up and move on,” Frank said. “My mother was one of the most wonderful women you could ever meet in your life.”

Chicago police continued to search for the suspects Thursday evening.

Mayor Brandon Johnson released the following statement regarding the shooting:

“On behalf of the City of Chicago, we extend our deepest condolences to the families and community of Grand Crossing who are grieving the lives lost in the shooting that took place this morning.

We will continue to coordinate with our partners at the Chicago Police Department, 5th Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy, and victim services partners to support this community on the path to healing from this tragic incident.