Young Mom Shot Dead as She Pushed Newborn Baby in a Stroller Past Chicago School

CHICAGO, IL — A young mom pushing her newborn baby in a stroller outside of Dulles School for Excellence on Chicago's South Side was fatally wounded as two men opened fire Friday afternoon on another man.

Nykea Aldridge, 32, was shot in the head and arm about 3:30 p.m., reports WGN, describing her as a mother of four children. She was rushed to Stroger Hospital but was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m. The baby was not hurt.

Aldridge is the first cousin of Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade, and the niece of Chicago pastor Jolinda Wade, the basketball player's mom. Outside the hospital, her aunt told reporters she had just participated in a panel discussion at the South Side YMCA Thursday about the violence plaguing the city.

She said this as she held Aldridge's mother, her sister, as she sobbed.

Dwyane Wade via satellite joined his mom on the panel, which was sponsored by ESPN. This year, the Richards High School alum returned to Chicago to play for his hometown team. He comes home with the city in the throes of murderous violence and a record-shattering body count.

Wade and his mother intend to open a community center in an attempt to address city violence.

"We are now in a very, very sensitive grieving place. ... We're still going to try and help these people," she said. "To transform their minds and give them a different direction so this thing won't keep happening."

Neighbors said they heard five gunshots. Two shots struck Aldridge. One gunman is in custody. The other remains at large. The intended target of the shooters was reportedly walking alongside Aldridge, who was at the school to register her children for classes.

"The investigation is very early in its stages," Deputy Chief James Jones told reporters late Friday outside Police Headquarters. "We are talking to a couple of individuals in the area that are giving us information."

Pastor Edward Jones, speaking on behalf of the family, told NBC Chicago Aldridge recently moved to the neighborhood.

"She loves God, loved her family," Jones said. "Just like everyone else, just wanted a better life, to live a better life. This is tragic because now it struck home with us. Something has to be done.

"This has got to stop."

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photo via David Harrison, Facebook