For almost two weeks now, Markita Scott has been a constant presence at Comer Children’s Hospital, tending to her grandsons as they heal from gunshot wounds and undergo several surgeries.
She shared that she once got on the bus to purchase a Wendy’s Frosty for her grandson when he asked for one.
She shared, “There are times when I shed tears, and there are times when I manage to hold up, even if I’m not feeling okay.”
On July 4th, in the Grand Crossing neighborhood, a shooting occurred, resulting in critical injuries for Jacoby Strong, 8, and Scottie Thomas Jr., 5, according to Scott. The incident saw gunmen exiting cars and firing bullets at a house on the 7100 block of South Woodlawn Avenue, which resulted in the tragic death of two women, one of whom was Capri Edwards, Scott’s daughter. Additionally, Bryson Orr, 7, was also a victim of the shooting and passed away. As per Chicago police, the attack was carried out by the gunmen.
On Wednesday, the police spokesperson stated that detectives are currently investigating the case, but there have been no updates yet.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Scott and other family members and activists advocated for victims’ families to receive a direct allocation of a quarter of the $100 million raised by Chicago civic leaders for crime-fighting efforts. The funds were raised in response to the violent Fourth of July holiday weekend. The money is intended to support on-the-ground programs aimed at non-police intervention in communities at risk of violence.
Tio Hardiman, the founder of Violence Interrupters, Inc., emphasized the importance of not forgetting about the victims and their families. Their needs are urgent, and the trauma they experience is genuine. As they work towards healing and recovery, we must provide them with our unwavering support.
According to Hardiman, instead of taking away funds from professional organizations, it would be more beneficial to share it with families who bear the burden of costly expenses such as trauma support, hospital bills, and relocation costs.
The Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago was contacted via email for comment, but no response has been received yet.
As she mourns the loss of her daughter, Scott is currently facing financial difficulties. To help cover the expenses for the funeral and provide support for her grandchildren, she has set up a GoFundMe campaign.
According to Scott, Edwards was an amazing mother who loved basketball, pizza, and hot sauce. She was also a very fun person to be around. Scott and Edwards were practically inseparable and often video chatted with each other.
She expressed how hard it is for her not to call her baby since they talk every day, and occasionally they just stay on the phone while watching TV.
According to her, Scottie is presently under sedation in the intensive care unit. He underwent surgery to fix his stomach recently, but he still has to go through two or three more surgeries. She also mentioned that Jacoby, who sustained a gunshot wound to the face, is waiting for another surgery and experiencing nightmares.
According to Scott, Jacoby is an avid fan of both Roblox and basketball. He also cherishes spending quality time with his grandmother. On the other hand, Scottie has a keen interest in dancing and Scott referred to him as a “fighter.”
She stated that the individuals in question will require extensive therapy, counseling, and love.
Alicia Scott, the sister of Markita, shared a heart-wrenching incident where she prayed with Scottie, who was lying there on the machine. Despite her efforts, Scottie couldn’t wake up on his own, and he shook with anger. It was a heartbreaking moment for Alicia, and she couldn’t help but feel the pain.
