CHICAGO – A weekend marked by widespread gun violence in Chicago saw two women, dedicated volunteers in the city’s anti-violence group, tragically shot to death. Chantell Grant, 26, and Andrea Stoudemire, 35, both mothers, were active members of “Mothers Against Senseless Killings” (MASK), a group working alongside other parents to curb violence on the city’s South Side.
Grant and Stoudemire were serving as peacekeepers on a corner in the Englewood neighborhood Friday night, a location where MASK members frequently maintained a presence. According to police reports, they were fatally shot after someone opened fire from a passing SUV.
Chantell Grant was a mother of three young children, while Andrea Stoudemire was a mother of two. The Chicago Police Department stated that officers found both women on the sidewalk after a blue SUV approached and gunfire erupted.
Tamar Manasseh, the founder of Mothers Against Senseless Killings, described the deaths of the two women as both “terrifying” and “heartbreaking.”
Four years prior, members of MASK had committed to reclaiming that specific corner, aiming to make it a safe space for women and children following a previous murder there. They had maintained a consistent presence in the area throughout the summer months, as reported by WLS-TV. Beyond organizing community events like barbeques, group members told WLS that their visible and constant presence was intended to actively discourage violence.
“It is sacred ground, as far as we’re concerned,” MASK member Maria Pike told the television station. “This was a haven that was built by moms.”
In addition to the two fatalities, a 58-year-old man also sustained injuries in the shooting, suffering a graze wound, FOX32 reported.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to raise funds for a reward, offering over $9,000 for information leading to an arrest in connection with the deadly shooting. As of Tuesday, Chicago police reported that no arrests had been made in the case.
The incident occurred during a particularly violent weekend in the city. Authorities confirmed that a total of 48 people were shot over the weekend, with eight of those incidents proving fatally.