Emma Wright, a 71-year-old African American woman, was killed on December 20, 2020, in her Morgan Park home on Chicago’s South Side. The shooting happened about 7:40 p.m., when two assailants fired what investigators say was as many as 50 rounds into the house from the backyard. Wright was struck in the head, left arm, right shoulder and right hand and was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn shortly afterward.

About 50 shell casings from possibly three different weapons, including a rifle, were recovered in the backyard. Wright’s grandson and his girlfriend were in the home; they went to her room after hearing gunfire but could not save her. Authorities believe Wright was not the intended target and that her grandson, who was living with her, may have been the target; he told police he had no idea why he would be targeted and provided no additional information. No arrests have been announced and the motive remains unclear.

Neighbors remembered Wright as Nana, a resident of Morgan Park for more than 50 years who helped others in the community. Police continue to seek information and any video footage that could identify the shooters. Did anyone in Morgan Park see suspicious activity in the backyard area that evening or have footage to share?