Crime
Woman Identified as Akaysha Fatally Shot in Apparent Case of Mistaken Identity in North Lawndale
CHICAGO, IL — A 33-year-old woman, identified by community members as Akaysha, was tragically shot and killed Thursday afternoon in what authorities suspect may have been a case of mistaken identity.
The incident occurred in the 1600 block of South Ridgeway Avenue, in the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side.
According to the Chicago Police Department, Akaysha was seated inside a white sedan with tinted windows around 2:30 p.m. when three individuals approached the vehicle.
One of the offenders produced a firearm and opened fire, striking the victim multiple times in the face and torso.
Akaysha attempted to escape by driving off, but the vehicle ultimately crashed into a curb near 18th Street.
Emergency responders transported her to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her full identity has not yet been officially released by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Investigators believe the heavily tinted windows may have led the attackers to misidentify the vehicle or its occupant.
The active crime scene extended from the 1600 block to the 1800 block of South Ridgeway, where 22 shell casings were recovered and marked as evidence.
A resident in the area, who requested anonymity, recalled seeing the car behaving strangely just before the shooting:
“It looked like it was trying to park but kept moving forward and back. I had just walked into my house when the shots started—first a couple, then a burst of them. It was so fast.”
North of 18th Street, officers from the Ogden District (10th) and Harrison Area detectives were seen clustering around the white sedan, which had come to rest against the curb.
All four doors of the vehicle were open as evidence technicians combed nearby yards and alleyways for additional clues.
As of Thursday evening, no arrests had been made, and police have not released descriptions of the suspects involved.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Chicago Police Department’s Area Four detectives or submit tips anonymously through CPD’s tip line at 833-408-0069 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-STOP.
MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Authorities have confirmed that a suspect is in custody following a shooting incident at the Meridian Mall on Friday afternoon.
As a result, the lockdown at the mall has been lifted.
The Meridian Township Police Department issued a public advisory just before 2:00 p.m., urging residents and shoppers to avoid the area near the Dick’s Sporting Goods entrance while officers conducted an active investigation at the scene.
At this time, police have not released specific details regarding the nature of the shooting, including whether anyone was injured or the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the incident and are expected to provide additional information as it becomes available.
The public is asked to remain clear of the immediate area to allow for the ongoing investigation.