Tragic South Side Shooting: Young Mother Killed in Brazen Daylight Ambush, Infant Miraculously Unharmed Amid Over 50 Gunshots

CHICAGO — A heartbreaking act of gun violence unfolded on Chicago’s South Side Wednesday afternoon, claiming the life of a 26-year-old mother while her baby girl, less than a year old, survived completely unharmed in the back seat of their bullet-riddled vehicle.

The incident occurred around 1:25 p.m. in the 7900 block of South May Street in the Gresham (also known as Auburn Gresham) neighborhood. According to Chicago Police Department (CPD) reports, 26-year-old Gabryel Ayers and a 27-year-old man were traveling in a white Chevy sedan when multiple shooters opened fire on the car. Evidence at the scene, including dozens of evidence markers, indicated more than 50 shots were fired in what appeared to be a targeted ambush.

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Chicago shooting: 2 shot, Gabryel Ayers killed, baby unharmed in …

The victims’ sedan, struck repeatedly, lost control and crashed into a nearby brown GMC van. The impact left the white Chevy with shattered windows, doors flung open, and visible bullet holes peppering the body. Aerial footage from Chopper 7 showed the chaotic aftermath: the sedan crumpled against the van on the snowy street, surrounded by police tape and investigators.

Gabryel Ayers, identified by family as the mother in the vehicle, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to Little Company of Mary Hospital (OSF Little Company of Mary) in critical condition. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. The 27-year-old male passenger was shot twice and transported to Christ Hospital (now Advocate Christ Medical Center), where he was listed in good condition and expected to recover.

Most astonishingly, Ayers’ infant daughter — strapped into a car seat in the back — emerged completely unscathed despite the barrage. Witnesses and first responders described seeing the baby holding a lollipop, crying but unharmed, a detail that has left family, community leaders, and investigators stunned.

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Chicago shooting: 2 shot, Gabryel Ayers killed, baby unharmed in …

Kirk Bell, the godfather of Gabryel Ayers and a pastor, spoke emotionally to reporters at the scene. “What’s the purpose of shooting at a car when you know there’s a child in the car? That doesn’t make any sense,” Bell said. “It could be a lot of other people who’s lost their life here today.” He condemned the shooters as having “no value on life,” calling for the city to address rampant gang violence and shootings. “These animals… They need to clean this city up. There’s gangs, and there’s shooting and the killing. It’s just unbelievable.”

Father Michael Pfleger of nearby St. Sabina Church, a longtime advocate against gun violence on the South Side, also addressed the miracle of the baby’s survival. He noted the proximity to his parish and emphasized the horror of firing into a vehicle known to carry a child. “That baby could have been killed,” Pfleger said, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attack.

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The driver of the struck van declined medical treatment and was not injured. No arrests have been made, and Area Detectives are leading an active investigation. Authorities have not disclosed a motive, though the volume of gunfire and targeted approach suggest it may be gang- or dispute-related. Cook County Crime Stoppers announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to arrests or indictments in the case.

This shooting adds to Chicago’s ongoing struggle with gun violence, particularly in neighborhoods like Auburn Gresham, where community leaders continue to call for stronger interventions. The survival of the infant has sparked widespread discussion of “divine protection” amid the mayhem, with many expressing relief that the child’s life was spared even as a young mother was taken too soon.

Family and friends remember Gabryel Ayers as a loving mother whose bright smile and caring nature touched those around her. Tributes have poured in online, with calls for justice and an end to the cycle of violence that endangers innocents, including children.

As investigators comb through shell casings and potential surveillance footage, the community mourns a life lost and marvels at one preserved. The question lingers: How did such a tiny child escape unharmed in a storm of bullets? For now, it’s a miracle in the midst of senseless tragedy.