A mother of five was shot and killed Sunday morning in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood while heading to her weekly church service.
Kiara Jenkins, 36, was found unresponsive in an alley behind her home in the 6400 block of South Drexel Avenue around 4:30 a.m. Sunday. She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jenkins, who lived in the same block where the shooting occurred, was heading to a 5 a.m. service at Mt. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church when she was shot. Members of the church said she attended the early morning service regularly and was a lifelong member of the congregation.
The shooting has left Jenkins’ five children without their mother. Her children range in age from a college freshman to 10 years old. The eldest child spoke with ABC7, saying the family is trying to be there for each other and process what happened.
Those who knew Jenkins described her as a loving and welcoming person who was devoted to both her children and her faith. She was always ready to help others, according to people in her community.
Michael Adams, a neighbor, said Jenkins was always friendly.
There was a heavy police presence in the afternoon. The area was wrapped in police tape.
A neighbor said she heard shots and a car alarm going off, as if someone was hitting the panic button on a car key, during the early morning hours when the shooting occurred.
The shooting occurred in Ald. Jeanette Taylor’s 20th Ward. Taylor issued a statement about Jenkins’ death, saying the family deserves justice.
Jenkins would have celebrated her 37th birthday this Sunday, making the timing of her death particularly painful for her family and loved ones.
Area One detectives are investigating the homicide, but the motive for the shooting remains unknown. No one is in custody, and police have not identified any suspects. The Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office are both involved in the investigation.
Chicago Crime Stoppers is now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for Jenkins’ death. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Chicago police.
The Woodlawn neighborhood, located on Chicago’s South Side, has experienced its share of gun violence in recent years. The community has struggled with crime, though many residents work to maintain safe and stable blocks for their families.
Early morning church services, like the 5 a.m. service Jenkins was attending, are not uncommon in many Chicago churches. These services often draw dedicated congregants who prioritize their faith and community involvement despite the early hour. Mt. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Woodlawn has long served as a spiritual anchor for families in the area.
The loss of a parent to gun violence creates lasting trauma for children, particularly when the victim was actively involved in their lives. Jenkins’ devotion to her children was evident to those who knew her, and her regular church attendance reflected the values she sought to instill in her family.
The investigation into Jenkins’ death continues as detectives work to piece together the circumstances that led to the shooting. Investigators are seeking to determine whether Jenkins was targeted or if she was a victim of a random act of violence. The fact that she was leaving her home to attend church in the early morning hours raises questions about whether anyone would have known her routine.
The church community at Mt. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church is devastated by the loss. Members say they have no idea why someone would take the life of a woman who always poured into others. The congregation, which knew Jenkins as a welcoming presence, is mourning the loss of someone who was an integral part of their faith community.
Homicide investigations in Chicago often rely heavily on witness cooperation and community information. The reward offered by Chicago Crime Stoppers reflects the urgency of finding the person responsible and the hope that someone in the community may have seen or heard something that could help solve the case.
The shooting adds to Chicago’s ongoing struggle with gun violence, which has affected families across the city. While overall crime rates have fluctuated in recent years, incidents like Jenkins’ death continue to devastate communities and leave families grappling with senseless loss.
For Jenkins’ children, the days and weeks ahead will be marked by grief as they navigate life without their mother. The 10-year-old child, in particular, faces the difficult reality of growing up without a parent who was actively involved in daily life. Community support, including from the church where Jenkins was a member, will be crucial as the family copes with their loss.
The case remains under active investigation by Area One detectives, who continue to seek information from the public. Anyone with details about the shooting is encouraged to come forward to help bring justice for Jenkins and her family.