Features

For Growing Number Of Kids Shot In Chicago, The Trauma Never Ends

DNAinfo Chicago — Dec. 30, 2016

Leo Betancourt, 13, was in a car when he was shot in his back and killed.

On Father’s Day, 3-year-old Devon Quinn was with his dad when someone shot at their car. Devon survived but is paralyzed from the waist down.

During one particularly violent stretch, four children — ages 11, 7, 5 and 4 — were shot within three days of each other.

This Boy Asked For 500 Birthday Cards As He Neared Death; He Got 150,000

DNAinfo Chicago — June 21, 2016

“If he was scared then he stayed brave for us and we never knew it,” Anthony Cervone said of his son’s battle with cancer.

Now, nearly two months after Lucas’ death, Anthony and Rina Cervone are crafting a legacy for their son. They gather to read the cards that were sent to him and speak at events. They’ve raised money for charities that supported them during Lucas’ battle and for Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Who cleans all those veteran dog tags in museum exhibit? Young veterans

DNAinfo Chicago — Jan. 25, 2016

They go through more than 50,000 names one by one, making sure there is a dog tag for each veteran:

“Thomas Killion Jr.” Killed in Quang Nam on Nov. 17, 1968, at 19 years old.

“James Lang.” He died in Quang Tri on Nov. 17, 1968, a week after his 32nd birthday.

“Hal Long … .”

Precious Davis will be 1st trans bride on ‘Say Yes to the Dress’

DNAinfo Chicago — Jan. 12, 2016

“To come to this present place and time as a 30-year-old black and trans woman, that I can appear on national television and celebrate my love and my life, and that this moment is being recorded and celebrated, I think that is something to celebrate and applaud,” activist Precious Davis said.

“And I hope that it really inspires people to see that trans people, we are not a mockery. We are people just like everyone else who have love, desires, hope, dreams.”

Breaking News

Police, protesters take to the streets after Laquan video released

DNAinfo Chicago — Nov. 24, 2015

Protesters marched through streets in Downtown Chicago Tuesday after the release of a video showing one police officer fatally shooting a black 17-year-old.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel added: “Will we use this episode and this moment to build bridges that bring us together as a city or will we allow it as a way that becomes barriers that tear us apart as a city?”

‘Army of Moms’ hosts barbecue after fatal shooting: ‘We’re not afraid’

DNAinfo Chicago — Aug. 19, 2015

The shooting death of 20-year-old Dwayne Thomas at 1:22 p.m. did not deter Mothers Against Senseless Killings from their occupation of the corners of 75th and Stewart and 75th and Harvard. Faye McCullough, 67, of Bronzeville, was among those who set up a tent and gathered to do yoga and barbecue with kids on the street Wednesday night.

“We’ll be here. We’re not afraid,” she said. “We’re like the front line.”

Tyshawn Lee’s killer laughed about murder, wanted to kill more kids: police

DNAinfo Chicago — March 8, 2016

The executioner of 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee — the Chicago boy lured away from a park and shot dead to get back at his family during a gang feud — laughed and bragged about killing the boy while in jail on a separate charge, prosecutors said Tuesday.

First-degree murder charges have been filed against Dwright Boone-Doty, 22, the alleged gunman in the crime.

‘We ask ourselves: Was God there?’ 6 slain Gage Park family members mourned

DNAinfo Chicago — Feb. 14, 2016

“We grieve their loss,” said the Rev. Gary Graf, who addressed the crowd in English and Spanish. “But we come together at the same time with tremendous faith and hope.”

Hundreds of visitors formed a line that wrapped around pews and walls to view the caskets. Family and friends embraced and wept. A woman clung to Graf, burying her face in his white robes while he quietly held her.