Another Innocent Chicago Child Loses Life in Senseless Gang Violence

Schanna Gayden, 13, an honor roll student at Ames Middle School was enjoying a piece of fruit she just purchased from a street vendor when she lost her life as a result of senseless gang violence according to the Chicago Tribune. Schanna was unaware of an invisible line that divided the playground she often enjoyed playing at into the YLO Cobra's territory, on the west side and the Imperial Gangsters Territory on the east side.

It is reported that the members of the two rival gangs gathered at the park, and shouted and flashed gang signs toward each other this past Monday evening before Tony Serrano, 19, fired several shots, missing his intended target and instead struck and killed Schanna. The rival gang members did not return the shots. Serrano said that he fired his gun because he was instructed to do so by his gang's leader, Mwenda Murithi, 26. Both were arrested for first degree murder of the 13 year old girl.

The arrest came quickly because there were dozens of witnesses at the park on Monday evening at the time of the shooting who identified the suspects, who admitted their involvement.

Schanna's mother, Rita Sallie, found some comfort in knowing that the young men that were responsible for her daughters murder were in custody. According to the Chicago Tribune, she is quoted as having said "I hope at least they regret it. I hope they understand they took someone's baby," Rita Sallie said Wednesday evening as she headed to a march in honor of her daughter. "I hope they didn't just walk away and say, 'Oh, well.' "

Schanna's mom had to spend the day making funeral arrangements for her daughter who loved math, was a fan of the Cubs and enjoyed riding her bike and playing basketball. She was shocked at the ages of the suspects and the fact that they both lived close to her home, noting that she might have seen the men in the past while going shopping.

The two men have had previous encounters with law enforcement, Serrano has had two previous minor arrests, while Murithi is known to have had 28 previous arrests, including four felonies.

On Wednesday night, she joined others in marching from the park where Schanna lost her life toward Ames Middle School where she would have attended 8^th grade in the fall. Laura Potts Langdon one of Schanna's 7^th grade teachers joined the march to send a message to her students that police, teachers and adults will continue to try keep them safe. Some residents that joined carried signs with a message of " No more Guns" and " This is our Block". As they marched, someone near the front of the march blew a ram's horn filling the air with a deep sorrowful sound.

When the crowd reached Ames School, they stopped and together joined hands and bowed their heads in prayer. There was applause when the school's principal informed them that the suspects had been caught and when Schanna's mom had thanked them for their support. She told the crowd that she hoped that their sorrow and anger would cause others to act to stop the violence that has plagued Chicago Public School students this year.

2 accused in girl's slaying
Police say gang leader ordered gunfire at rivals across playground
Alexa Aguilar and Angela Rozas, Tribune staff reporters

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070626girl_killedjun26,1,5228130.story?coll=chi-news-hed