Nykea Aldridge was shot and killed on the South Side of Chicago. She was pushing a stroller that contained her 3-week-old baby when she was struck. This is the most recent in the unending cycle of senseless violence that looms over impoverished areas of the city.
The fact that Aldridge is the cousin of basketball star Dwyane Wade has given this recent act of violence visibility around the world and keeps the cameras pointed on Chicago. Wade, who is now a Chicago Bull, issued a statement on Twitter.
My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
A prayer vigil was held for Aldridge at the Willie Mae Morris Empowerment Center hosted at New Creation B.A.L.M where Jolinda Wade is pastor. Members of the congregation spilled out onto the city street holding balloons and pictures of Aldridge. As the family spoke, the spirit of forgiveness is what drove the conversation. Nykea’s mother, Diane Aldridge, was asked about her daughter. “Nykea was an awesome kid, she had her own flavor. She wrote poetry, she was writing a book just to tell everybody about her soul, her trials and tribulations. She wanted to help others who are trying to overcome obstacles that they might have going on in their own private world. She was an awesome daughter who loved her kids, it’s so heartbreaking to know that she won’t be here to raise her kids. She just wanted a better life for her and her kids. I thank God for allowing her to be in our lives for as long as he did.”
Borthers Darwin Sorrells Jr., 26, and Derren Sorrells, 22, were charged in the shooting death of Aldridge.
When asked by MSNBC what she had to say to the mother of the men who murdered her daughter, Aldridge had this to say. “I love her. I truly truly from the bottom of my heart forgive them. I can’t bring her [Nykea] back but I forgive them. I pray to God that they pray to God and ask him for forgiveness.”
