Gakirah K.I. Barnes was 17 when she was fatally shot on April 11, 2014, in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. The shooting happened about 3:30 p.m. in the 6400 block of South Eberhart Avenue; witnesses said a hooded gunman approached Barnes and companions on the sidewalk and opened fire. Barnes suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body, was struck at least nine times, and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 5:43 p.m. Two other people were injured.

Barnes was reported to have ties to the Gangster Disciples and was described in reports as a reputed hitt a for the gang. Investigators identified Dayvon Bennett, known as King Von, as the primary suspect; he was arrested on July 22, 2014, and charged the next day, but the Cook County State’s Attorney later declined to pursue charges, citing insufficient evidence. Barnes’s mother, Shontell Brown, has sought justice and helped offer a reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.