Tragedy struck on a quiet street in Cicero, Ill. Tuesday night when two women were gunned down inside a home, in what police believe to be a domestic-related incident. The victims were later identified as 29-year-old Jessica Hughes and 19-year-old Myeshia Newby, both from the same block where the fatal shooting occurred. The Chicago Tribune reported that the shooting took place shortly before 7:45 p.m., on the 1800 block of South 48th Court.
Upon arrival, Cicero police found the two women with gunshot wounds. They were rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital where they succumbed to their injuries. A "person of interest" is currently being pursued by law enforcement in connection with the violent episode, contributing to a staggering narrative of recurring domestic violence issues plaguing communities. "This appears to be a domestic-related isolated incident," a Cicero police spokesperson detailed, as ABC 7 Chicago underscored.
Neighbor America Pantoja, who was familiar with the family, recounted hearing multiple gunshots within the house. "Then, Pantoja said, she saw her daughter's friend come out of that home, crying," she told ABC 7 Chicago. In the aftermath of the shots, children, along with multiple others, sought refuge in Pantoja's residence. Pantoja shared her grief and admiration for one of the victims, saying, "She was a good woman," highlighting her dedication to her daughter and family.
The local community was left reeling as police sealed off roads and initiated a meticulous manhunt, employing K-9 units in an attempt to locate the assailant. The catalyst of the deadly altercation remains under investigation, law enforcement officials continue to parse through evidence.
