{"id":3849,"date":"2026-02-06T23:54:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T23:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=3849"},"modified":"2026-02-06T23:54:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T23:54:46","slug":"at-vigil-for-slain-woman-mayor-auburn-gresham-community-stand-united-against-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/?p=3849","title":{"rendered":"At vigil for slain woman, mayor, Auburn Gresham community stand united against violence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Hundreds gathered Friday at the corner of 79th and May streets, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/chicago.suntimes.com\/crime\/2026\/02\/05\/1-year-old-girl-uninjured-in-deadly-auburn-gresham-shooting\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">where 26-year-old Gabryel Ayers was shot and killed<\/a>, to remember her life and call to end gun violence in the city. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need justice for our children,\u201d said Pamela Bosely, co-founder of Purpose Over Pain, a South Side organization formed by parents who have lost their children to gun violence. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese are our children\u2019s lives being shot and killed. If you don\u2019t do anything about it, let me tell you, you\u2019re going to stand up with us here next. And this is not where you want to be,\u201d Bosely said. <\/p>\n<p>Ayers was sitting in the front seat of a vehicle Wednesday afternoon with 27-year-old Devin Draper when they were both shot. Draper\u2019s 1-year-old daughter was in the backseat. <\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"large-2x1-notfixed\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-2c0000\" name=\"image-2c0000\" data-cms-ai=\"0\"\/>\n        <picture data-crop=\"large-2x1-notfixed\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"840\" height=\"840\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d8ed311\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/828x828+0+0\/resize\/840x840!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5d%2Ff4%2F0dab510644839070c1679af04b3f%2F581715706-1376806140654171-5611039305513231338-n.jpg 1x,https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f858f77\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/828x828+0+0\/resize\/1680x1680!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5d%2Ff4%2F0dab510644839070c1679af04b3f%2F581715706-1376806140654171-5611039305513231338-n.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI4NDBweCIgd2lkdGg9Ijg0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\"\/><source width=\"840\" height=\"840\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e9b6d88\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/828x828+0+0\/resize\/840x840!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F5d%2Ff4%2F0dab510644839070c1679af04b3f%2F581715706-1376806140654171-5611039305513231338-n.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI4NDBweCIgd2lkdGg9Ijg0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\"\/><\/p>\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Their vehicle struck an SUV, police said. Ayers was taken to Little Company of Mary Medical Center where she later died, and Draper was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in good condition. The child wasn\u2019t hurt, but she was taken to Christ for observation. <\/p>\n<p>Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church, a longtime gun violence activist, and several other city officials and police gathered with members of the Auburn Gresham community for a prayer vigil and outdoor roll call Friday to show the community remains strong and resilient despite ongoing violence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"large-2x1-notfixed\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-2b0000\" name=\"image-2b0000\" data-cms-ai=\"0\"\/>\n        <picture data-crop=\"large-2x1-notfixed\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/05853c9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F2c%2Fc7%2F9f7a6fde4f76a08e107a9be31a72%2Fshootingvigil-260207-19.jpg 1x,https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2332207\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/1680x1120!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F2c%2Fc7%2F9f7a6fde4f76a08e107a9be31a72%2Fshootingvigil-260207-19.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1NjBweCIgd2lkdGg9Ijg0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\"\/><source width=\"840\" height=\"560\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/86d690e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F2c%2Fc7%2F9f7a6fde4f76a08e107a9be31a72%2Fshootingvigil-260207-19.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1NjBweCIgd2lkdGg9Ijg0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stands behind Rev. Michael Pfleger as he speaks in the 7900 block of South May St. in Gresham during a prayer vigil, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, after a 26-year-old woman was shot to death and a man was injured in that block Wednesday. A one-year-old survived without any physical injuries. | Pat Nabong\/Sun-Times\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/86d690e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F2c%2Fc7%2F9f7a6fde4f76a08e107a9be31a72%2Fshootingvigil-260207-19.jpg 1x,https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/036a930\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/1680x1120!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F2c%2Fc7%2F9f7a6fde4f76a08e107a9be31a72%2Fshootingvigil-260207-19.jpg 2x\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/86d690e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F2c%2Fc7%2F9f7a6fde4f76a08e107a9be31a72%2Fshootingvigil-260207-19.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1NjBweCIgd2lkdGg9Ijg0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\"\/><\/p>\n<\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>The Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina\u2019s Church speaks at the vigil. <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><span class=\"line\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis tragedy continues to tear at the thread of the soul of Chicago. There\u2019s tragedies like this that remind us of how much more work that we have to do,\u201d Johnson told the crowd.<\/p>\n<p> \u201cIt\u2019s not enough to eliminate violence. We have to replace it with good-funded schools and good-paying jobs and access to mental healthcare,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n<p>Adrienne Swanigan-Williams, the mother of <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/chicago.suntimes.com\/2017\/1\/24\/18322746\/man-accused-of-killing-childhood-friend-is-held-without-bond\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">Tremayne Henderson, who was killed in 2017<\/a>, was in the crowd and said she remembers Ayers as a sweet and loving person.<\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"large-2x1-notfixed\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-e40000\" name=\"image-e40000\" data-cms-ai=\"0\"\/>\n        <picture data-crop=\"large-2x1-notfixed\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ecec409\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F39%2F37%2F246e49334b819f0845bbcf540241%2Fshootingvigil-260207-10.jpg 1x,https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ce76dcc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/1680x1120!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F39%2F37%2F246e49334b819f0845bbcf540241%2Fshootingvigil-260207-10.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1NjBweCIgd2lkdGg9Ijg0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\"\/><source width=\"840\" height=\"560\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1ee21b1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F39%2F37%2F246e49334b819f0845bbcf540241%2Fshootingvigil-260207-10.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1NjBweCIgd2lkdGg9Ijg0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Police, community members, politicians and violence interrupters gather in the 7900 block of South May St. in Gresham for a prayer vigil, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, after a 26-year-old woman was shot to death and a man was injured in that block Wednesday. A one-year-old survived without any physical injuries. | Pat Nabong\/Sun-Times\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1ee21b1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F39%2F37%2F246e49334b819f0845bbcf540241%2Fshootingvigil-260207-10.jpg 1x,https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f62cf4f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/1680x1120!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F39%2F37%2F246e49334b819f0845bbcf540241%2Fshootingvigil-260207-10.jpg 2x\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1ee21b1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7008x4672+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F39%2F37%2F246e49334b819f0845bbcf540241%2Fshootingvigil-260207-10.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1NjBweCIgd2lkdGg9Ijg0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\"\/><\/p>\n<\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>Police officers pay their respects to Gabryel Ayers.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><span class=\"line\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u201cShe loves her baby. She was a hairstylist,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate that this happened to her. All I can do is pray for her family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for anyone with information about the shooters. They urge people to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-535-STOP or send info on www.cpdtip.com. Individuals will remain completely anonymous. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/chicago.suntimes.com\/crime\/2026\/02\/06\/gabryel-ayers-shooting-auburn-gresham-violence\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hundreds gathered Friday at the corner of 79th and May streets, where 26-year-old Gabryel Ayers was shot and killed, to remember her life and call to end gun violence in the city. \u201cWe need justice for our children,\u201d said Pamela Bosely, co-founder of Purpose Over Pain, a South Side organization formed by parents who have [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3850,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3849","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-usa-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3849","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3849"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3849\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firearmupgrades.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}