On July 30, 2023, a shooting in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood left 21-year-old mother of two Kanesha Nesha Gaines dead and eight other women wounded. The attack occurred around 1 a.m. on the 1500 block of South Keeler Avenue, where a group of women had gathered for a Hawaiian-themed birthday celebration. A black Jeep pulled up, multiple unknown suspects armed with guns exited, and shots were fired into the group. Gaines was struck in the face and later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Eight other women were hit; a 28-year-old woman was critically injured with eight torso wounds and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, while seven others, ages 20 to 33, sustained various gunshot wounds and grazes and were listed in good condition at Mount Sinai and Stroger Hospitals. Gaines’ mother, Natasha Graham, described her as outgoing and funny; Gaines worked as a home healthcare worker and part-time stylist and left two young children, ages 3 and 2. Area Four detectives are investigating and no arrests have been announced.

If anyone who attended the gathering or saw a black Jeep near South Keeler around 1 a.m. has information, please contact Area Four Detectives or submit an anonymous tip.