A mass shooting outside a River North restaurant on Wednesday night left four people dead and 14 others wounded, shaking the local community and leaving families in grief and disbelief.
Devonte Williamson, 23, was one of the victims who lost his life in the tragic incident that occurred around 11 p.m. at Artis Restaurant and Lounge during an album-release party for his girlfriend, drill rapper Melanie Doyle, known as Mello Buckzz.
Williamson’s mother, Andrea Williamson, expressed her heartbreak and anger, stating, “To do that to people — the majority of them were women — to take people’s loved ones away, they need to be locked up.”
Alongside Williamson, the other victims were identified as Taylor Walker, 26, Aviance King, 27, and Leon Henry, 25, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Friends and relatives of the victims gathered across Chicago to support one another during this challenging time.
Family and friends of Taylor Walker commemorated her by releasing pink and white balloons at the Chicago Vocational Career Academy, where she had graduated. Gatherings were filled with stories of Walker, who many described as a “sweet girl.”
“I know I can’t question God,” shared Sharonda Booth, Walker’s mother, through tears. “I know he must have a better plan for her.”
Walker, known for her hairdressing skills, often styled the hair of her friends and family. She had attended the party to support her friend, Doyle. Her aunt, Stacey Brison, remarked on the unfortunate reality that these young women, in pursuit of their aspirations, fell victim to gun violence. “These young ladies are just trying to do something with their lives, but they can’t go anywhere without being targeted. It has to stop,” she stated.
The tragedy is compounded by the fact that Walker was one of eight siblings and had already lost a brother to gun violence. Her oldest sister, Celeste Gary, reflected on the vibrant spirit Walker brought to her family, saying, “She was just a loving person. She took care of her siblings and her mother. She loved her family.”
Gary emphasized the pain of losing her sister to violence, expressing a desire to see justice served. “You don’t feel it until it hits home,” she lamented.
Devonte Williamson, who also graduated from Chicago Vocational Career Academy, hailed from Hegewisch and was actively seeking work as a truck driver. He was the second-oldest of seven siblings and was a dedicated father to his 2-year-old daughter, Nevaeh.
“He was very outgoing, very popular, and very protective,” Andrea Williamson remembered fondly. Just weeks into his relationship with Doyle, he attended the party to show his support. “I just met her for the first time a few days ago, so I don’t know much about her,” she recounted.
Darell Williamson, Devonte’s brother, received a phone call late Wednesday informing him of the shooting. Although they initially rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, they later traced Devonte’s phone to Stroger Hospital.
Recalling the anxious wait, Darell Williamson shared, “We waited a long time, but then I knew by my mother’s reaction that it was not good.” At Stroger Hospital, doctors confirmed the heartbreaking news of Devonte’s death.
The family has been grappling with rumors that the shooting may have been gang-related, yet Andrea Williamson firmly stated that her son was not involved with any gangs. “To go shoot up 18 people, to me, there is no reason to do something like that,” she said, calling for the police to apprehend those responsible for the senseless violence.
As they navigate their grief and seek answers, Andrea Williamson mentioned that they will begin planning a birthday celebration for Devonte’s daughter, Nevaeh, who is turning three later this month. The community remembers the victims while hoping for an end to such tragic events.
image source from：chicago
