You find yourself facing a shocking headline: a Chicago mother was killed in a daytime ambush while her infant, riding in the back seat, walked away unharmed. The quick facts — a 26-year-old woman died after three gunmen opened fire on her car and her baby was not injured — matter immediately because they frame the urgency and human stakes of this story.
As you follow this piece, expect a clear account of what happened at the 7900 block of South May Street, how witnesses and officials responded, and how the community has come together in the aftermath. The article will also cover what investigators have released and what questions remain about motive and accountability.
Details of the Targeted Shooting
The attack unfolded quickly on a South Side street, leaving one person dead and an infant uninjured. Witnesses, police and community leaders later described a brazen daylight ambush that sent people running and vehicles crashing.
Timeline of the Attack
Police report the shooting began around 1:25 p.m. on February 4, 2026. A car carrying 26-year-old Gabryel Ayers, a 27-year-old man and Ayers’ infant daughter was struck by gunfire after a crash with a GMC van in the 7900 block of South May Street.
Surveillance and witness accounts show three men approached the scene and continued firing into the vehicle after the crash. Shots were exchanged or sprayed into the car in a span of seconds, according to investigators and onlookers.
Responders arrived quickly. Officers secured the scene and paramedics transported the adult victims; Ayers later died of multiple gunshot wounds. The infant was examined and found unharmed at the scene.
Victims and Their Conditions
Gabryel Ayers, described in local reports as a 26-year-old hairstylist and mother, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and did not survive. Authorities identified a 27-year-old man in the car who was also struck and received medical attention.
The infant daughter, seated in a rear car seat, emerged physically uninjured despite the severity of the attack. Chicago police and community leaders noted the child was present in the back seat when the gunmen opened fire.
Hospital routing details were limited publicly; media accounts mention area hospitals but do not confirm which facility treated the wounded adults. The Chicago Police Department continues to investigate and seek witnesses.
Location and Scene Description
The shooting occurred near 79th and May streets in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, specifically the 7900 block of South May Street. The stretch is a busy daytime corridor near Saint Sabina Church and local storefronts.
After the vehicle was struck, it collided with a GMC van. Surveillance footage and witness statements show three armed suspects approaching the crashed car and discharging weapons at close range.
Investigators and community members described the vehicle as riddled with bullet holes. Police taped off the area for hours while detectives processed the scene and collected evidence.
More Than 50 Rounds Fired
Multiple accounts, including police and local reporting, indicate the vehicle was struck by an extreme volume of gunfire — described as more than 50 rounds. Bullet casings and impact points around the car and nearby van supported that estimate.
Witnesses said the gunmen continued firing after the crash, intensifying the attack’s brutality. Chicago police officials noted the high round count when urging anyone with information to come forward.
Community leaders and faith figures who attended a later vigil condemned the daylight ambush and emphasized the need for tips and cooperation with the Chicago Police Department to identify the shooters.
Investigation and Community Reaction
Neighbors and officials pressed for tips, shared video, and organized a vigil near the shooting site. Police announced a reward and investigators focused on footage and eyewitness accounts to identify the shooters.
Law Enforcement Efforts and Rewards
Chicago police opened a homicide investigation and asked anyone with information to contact detectives. Cook County Crime Stoppers and the CPD publicized a combined reward that reached around $10,000 to encourage witnesses to come forward.
Detectives canvassed the 7900 block of South May and reviewed tips submitted to the Gresham (6th) District. Officers coordinated with state and county partners to cross-check vehicle registrations and known offender databases. Investigators also urged people who might have seen the assailants or the red getaway car to call 911 or the tip line immediately.
Role of Surveillance Footage
Investigators obtained multiple video clips showing suspects on foot and shooting toward the vehicle, then leaving in a red car. Police said the footage helped establish a timeline: the attack occurred around 1:25 p.m., gunmen ran across the 79th Street intersection, fired at the sedan, and then fired again after the car crash.
Authorities asked residents and businesses to hand over any doorbell or security camera recordings from that timeframe. The footage became a key investigative lead to identify the shooters’ clothing, movements, and the getaway vehicle — details detectives can use to match license-plate readers or additional cameras along the escape route.
Community Vigil and Public Statements
Religious and civic leaders organized a prayer vigil near St. Sabina Church and its food pantry to honor the victim. Father Michael Pfleger and other pastors led the memorial at the 7900 block of South May, calling on neighbors to share what they know.
Aldermen and local officials, along with clergy, urged cooperation with police while stressing community safety. Mayor Brandon Johnson and state representatives publicly expressed sorrow and called for accountability, while some community leaders emphasized preventing further violence through local programs and reporting of tips.
Support for the Surviving Infant
Local faith groups and social services mobilized to support the infant who was in the backseat and survived the shooting. St. Sabina parish and neighboring outreach programs offered immediate counseling and material assistance, including baby supplies and short-term housing referrals when needed.
Officials also connected the child’s caregivers with victim assistance units to secure long-term services like trauma counseling and case management. Community members set up donations and check-ins to ensure the infant’s basic needs and safety are covered while investigators continue their work.
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