A family and community are in mourning after 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams was struck by a hail of bullets while waiting in a Chicago McDonald’s drive-thru.
The tragedy occurred on Sunday around 4 p.m. after two people approached a vehicle driven by Jontae Adams, Joslyn’s father, and began shooting, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Jaslyn was struck at least six times and her father was hit once in the torso.
Moments later, a panicky Jontae Adams called his mother, Lawanda McMullen, and told her what happened.
“I was frantic, and he was frantic. He could not breathe on the phone. He just kept saying, ‘mom, come get me, they just shot up my baby,'” she told reporters.
The police transported Jaslyn to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police believe at least 50 rounds were fired.
“They said she came in with no pulse,” McMullen added. “[They] opened up her chest and did chest compressions but could not get her back.”
Jontae Adams remains in the hospital in serious condition.
No suspects have been named but investigators believe the incident is gang-related. It is unclear if Adams was the intended target.
Jaslyn’s family held a vigil in her honor on Monday, per Block Club Chicago. During the event, the little girl’s family called for peace and released balloons.
“It’s about time we take a stand. We have to put down these guns,” said McMullen. “It just don’t make no sense. A 7-year-old baby lost her life.”
“I know that Jaslyn will not die in vain. This right here is the beginning of the change we need,” urged Johnny Adams, Jaslyn’s grandfather. “It’s time for a change. Change in our neighborhoods, our communities, our systems, everything needs to change. And it starts today.”
Anyone with information related to this case should call 1-800-U-TELL-US or text the Chicago Police Department at 274637.
