Chicago’s South Side was shaken Wednesday afternoon when 26‑year‑old Gina Ayres, known to friends and family as “Gabby,” was killed in a brazen drive‑by shooting that also wounded another adult and left a baby in the car unharmed. The shooting unfolded just after 1:25 p.m. near South May Street and 79th in the Gresham neighborhood, a busy area on a warm winter day.
Police say Ayres was in the front passenger seat of a white car when four people in a red SUV pulled up behind them and began firing without warning. The driver — a 27‑year‑old man — was shot in the arm and buttocks. Both adults tried to flee the scene but soon crashed into a van at an intersection not far from where the shots rang out. The shooter’s SUV didn’t stick around — it sped off before authorities arrived.
By the time Chicago police and paramedics reached the crash site, Ayres had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to her body. She was rushed to Little Company of Mary Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later. The driver, though wounded, was reported in good condition at Christ Hospital. One of the most harrowing parts of the scene was a child found safe in the back seat — uninjured, but clearly shaken by the violence that turned a routine drive into tragedy.
Witnesses and social media posts captured the chaos as it unfolded. Dramatic videos circulating online show the moments shots were fired and the car spinning out and hitting a van. Still images from the aftermath showed shattered glass, spent shell casings, and a crowd of onlookers trying to make sense of what had just happened.
Chicago Police say no suspects are yet in custody as detectives work to piece together what happened and why this young woman was targeted. Area detectives from the 6th District are asking anyone with information to step forward, including anonymously through CPDTIP.com or by calling the Chicago Police.
Friends and family have remembered Ayres in heartfelt social media posts. They describe her as a loving daughter and friend, taken far too soon in an act of violence that has left a community grieving. Amid the sorrow, relief that her baby survived is a bright point for those holding vigil outside her neighborhood.
This shooting comes at a moment when Chicago overall has seen a drop in homicides and shooting incidents compared with past years, according to police data shared by local media. Still, each act of violence leaves deep scars on families and neighborhoods trying to heal.
Chicago Police continue to investigate this case, hoping that tips from the public will help bring answers — and some measure of justice — to Ayres’ loved ones.
