Crime
12-Year-Old Dalilah Batay Fatally Shot in Chicago
Authorities have confirmed that no suspects are currently in custody.
Chicago, IL – Authorities have identified 12-year-old Dalilah Batay as the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred on Sunday night, February 9, 2025, in Chicago’s South Side.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., officers from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) responded to reports of a person shot near 92nd Street and Harper Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Dalilah suffering from a gunshot wound to the face.
Emergency responders rushed her to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
As of now, CPD has not released details regarding the circumstances of the shooting, and investigators continue to gather information.
Authorities have confirmed that no suspects are currently in custody, and Area Two Detectives are actively pursuing leads.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Chicago Police’s 22nd District at (312) 745-0570 or submit anonymous tips through CPDTIP.com.
Dalilah Batay was just weeks away from celebrating her 13th birthday.
Instead of planning a birthday party, her family is now preparing for a funeral—a devastating reality that underscores the ongoing crisis of senseless gun violence plaguing the city.
Dalilah should have been in school today, laughing with her friends and looking forward to her teenage years. Instead, another young life has been tragically lost.
As the community mourns this heartbreaking loss, the question remains: How many more children must be buried before real change is made?
This tragedy serves as yet another painful reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence and ensure the safety of our children and neighborhoods.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—no matter how small—to come forward. Your tip could help bring justice to Dalilah and closure to her grieving family.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.