Death of Jessica Williams, who died of asthma attack after witnessing two fatal shootings, also ruled a homicide

Jeff Mayes — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 17:50:10 -0500

By JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Jessica Williams | Facebook

The death of Jessica Williams, a 16-year-old who suffered a fatal asthma attack after witnessing a shooting that left two people dead and two more injured at a party in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in July, has been ruled a homicide.

The gunfire erupted following a dispute over a curbside parking spot at a party in the 800 block of West 50th Place at 12:18 a.m. July 28, according to Chicago Police.

Two women were holding a parking spot for a friend, who was circling the block in a vehicle, when a man pulled up and opened fire after a brief confrontation over the parking spot, authorities said at the time.

Kayana Armond | Facebook

Kayana Q. Armond, 34, was shot in the neck, and was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:34 a.m., according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. She lived in the 10900 block of South Vernon.

Denzel M. Childs, 25, was shot in the neck, head and chest; and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:20 a.m., authorities said.

A 21-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the left hand and was taken to St. Bernard Hospital, while a 25-year-old woman was taken to Stroger Hospital with gunshot wounds to the back. Both recovered from their injuries, police said.

Denzel Childs | Facebook

The teen witnessed the shootings and afterwards suffered an asthma attack, authorities said. Williams, who lived in the 12000 block of South State Street, was taken to St. Bernard Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:05 a.m.

An autopsy found she died of bronchial asthma and stress associated with the gunshots fired into the crowd, according to the medical examiner’s office. Her death was ruled a homicide last week.

Jessica was a Chicago Vocational Career Academy High School.

The shooting happened in the midst of a block party attended by about 100 people who were celebrating the life of Williams’ cousin, Shondell "King Dell" Adams.

Relatives said he had been mixed up in gangs when he was shot to death three years earlier at 24. That shooting took place just a block away.

POlice said no arrests have been made in the case and other witnesses are not cooperating with investigators.

Jessica Williams | Homicide Watch Chicago

Death of Jessica Williams, who died of asthma attack after witnessing two fatal shootings, also ruled a homicide