On February 4, 2026, 26-year-old hairstylist Gabryel Ayers was shot and killed in a brazen daylight attack on 79th Street in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood — a crime that has left her family devastated and the city searching for answers.

According to authorities, Ayers was sitting inside a vehicle when three masked gunmen approached and unleashed a barrage of gunfire. Investigators confirmed that more than 50 rounds were fired into the car in a matter of seconds. The sheer volume of bullets has stunned even longtime residents accustomed to hearing about violence in the city. This was not a random stray shot or a single act of impulsive aggression — it was a coordinated and overwhelming assault carried out in broad daylight.

Inside the vehicle with Ayers was her infant daughter, strapped securely into a car seat in the back. In what many have described as nothing short of miraculous, the child survived without physical injury. That detail has become one of the most haunting elements of the case: amid the chaos and destruction, a baby remained unharmed while her mother lost her life just feet away.

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows three individuals, their faces concealed, running up to the vehicle before opening fire. After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene in a red Alfa Romeo. Hours later, that same vehicle was discovered burned, a tactic commonly used to destroy forensic evidence and hinder identification. The calculated nature of the escape has led many to believe the attack was planned in advance.

As of now, no arrests have been made. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive, and they have not confirmed whether Ayers was the intended target. Police continue to analyze ballistic evidence, review additional surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras, and follow up on tips from the public. Investigators have been careful to separate verified facts from rumor, emphasizing that the case remains active and ongoing.

In the days following the shooting, community members gathered to honor Ayers’ life. Friends described her as hardworking and devoted to her child. As a hairstylist, she built close relationships with clients and neighbors — connections that made the news of her death even more painful for those who knew her personally. Vigils were held, candles were lit, and calls for justice echoed through Auburn Gresham.

City leaders and anti-violence advocates have pointed to this case as yet another urgent reminder of the toll gun violence takes on families and neighborhoods. The fact that the attack occurred in the middle of the day, on a busy street, has intensified concerns about public safety and accountability.

If you have any information related to this case, you are urged to contact Cook County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-STOP or submit an anonymous tip online. Rewards are being offered for information leading to an arrest.

Justice for Gabryel Ayers matters. Her story deserves to be told accurately — grounded in verified facts, community voices, and the ongoing pursuit of truth.