Crime
Woman Identified as Akaysha Fatally Shot in Apparent Case of Mistaken Identity in North Lawndale
CHICAGO, IL — A 33-year-old woman, identified by community members as Akaysha, was tragically shot and killed Thursday afternoon in what authorities suspect may have been a case of mistaken identity.
The incident occurred in the 1600 block of South Ridgeway Avenue, in the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side.
According to the Chicago Police Department, Akaysha was seated inside a white sedan with tinted windows around 2:30 p.m. when three individuals approached the vehicle.
One of the offenders produced a firearm and opened fire, striking the victim multiple times in the face and torso.
Akaysha attempted to escape by driving off, but the vehicle ultimately crashed into a curb near 18th Street.
Emergency responders transported her to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her full identity has not yet been officially released by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Investigators believe the heavily tinted windows may have led the attackers to misidentify the vehicle or its occupant.
The active crime scene extended from the 1600 block to the 1800 block of South Ridgeway, where 22 shell casings were recovered and marked as evidence.
A resident in the area, who requested anonymity, recalled seeing the car behaving strangely just before the shooting:
“It looked like it was trying to park but kept moving forward and back. I had just walked into my house when the shots started—first a couple, then a burst of them. It was so fast.”
North of 18th Street, officers from the Ogden District (10th) and Harrison Area detectives were seen clustering around the white sedan, which had come to rest against the curb.
All four doors of the vehicle were open as evidence technicians combed nearby yards and alleyways for additional clues.
As of Thursday evening, no arrests had been made, and police have not released descriptions of the suspects involved.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Chicago Police Department’s Area Four detectives or submit tips anonymously through CPD’s tip line at 833-408-0069 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-STOP.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.