Akeira Boston was 16 when she was shot to death on August 27, 2019, in Dolton, Illinois. The shooting happened about 9 p.m. outside the Moonlight Food Deli & Liquor at 1203 E. 142nd Street. Akeira was sitting inside a vehicle and was struck twice in the abdomen; she was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead. The Cook County medical examiner ruled the death a homicide by gunshot wounds to the abdomen.

Authorities believe Akeira was not the intended target. A male who had just entered the vehicle reportedly jumped into the backseat and fled on foot while the shooter continued firing; tinted windows may have contributed to a misidentification. Dolton Village Trustee Andrew Holmes said that male lied to detectives about knowing Akeira, which has complicated the investigation. No arrests have been announced and the shooter remains at large. The community held a vigil and mourned her; Akeira attended Simeon High School and was on the cheerleading squad.

If anyone knew Akeira, saw activity near 1203 E. 142nd Street that night, or has information about the unidentified male who fled the scene, please share what is known.