National Basketball Association
The Latest: Vigil held for gun violence victim, mother of 4
National Basketball Association

The Latest: Vigil held for gun violence victim, mother of 4

Published Aug. 28, 2016 6:08 p.m. ET

CHICAGO (AP) The Latest on the fatal shooting of the cousin of NBA star Dwyane Wade and Chicago violence (all times local):

4 p.m.

Dozens of people gathered at a Chicago church for a prayer service to remember a mother of four who was gunned down as she walked along a South Side street.

The vigil for Nykea Aldridge, a cousin of NBA star Dwyane Wade, began shortly after police announced brothers Darwin Sorrells Jr. and Derren Sorrells were charged Sunday with first-degree murder in her death. Police say the pair were targeting a man who drove two women from a suburb into the city.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aldridge's parents, sister, nieces and nephews wept as they spoke about the woman they said was a gifted writer and ''fighter of the family.''

Aldridge's mother, Diann, said her daughter's life ''is gone too soon,'' adding that she was a ''little quiet storm of a daughter.''

The pastor of the church, Jolinda Wade, called her niece a ''a very, very special young lady,'' adding the family will hold on to their memories.

---

12 p.m.

Chicago's police superintendent says the suspects in the shooting death of the cousin of NBA star Dwyane Wade are an example of the city's problem with repeat offenders.

Superintendent Eddie Johnson held a news conference Sunday shortly after murder and attempted murder charges against 26-year-old Darwin Sorrells Jr. and 22-year-old Derren Sorrells were announced.

Nykea Aldridge was pushing her baby in a stroller near a school on the city's South Side where she'd planned to register her children when she was shot and killed.

Cmdr. Brendan Deenihan said Sunday that the Sorrells brothers had intended to shoot at a driver who had just dropped off passengers in the neighborhood. Police said there is video of the incident.

No weapon was recovered from the suspects, and police say they don't know where the weapon is.

Johnson also said that Chicago residents should be frustrated and hopes that the arrests bring some sort of closure for the Aldridge and Wade families.

---

11:35 a.m.

Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says the brothers accused of killing the cousin of NBA star Dwyane Wade have criminal records.

Authorities say 26-year-old Darwin Sorrells Jr. and 22-year-old Derren Sorrells were charged Sunday in Friday's death of Nykea Aldridge.

Guglielmi says Darwin Sorrells was on parole for a gun charge. He was sentenced to six years in prison in January 2013 and was released early.

Guglielmi also said Derren Sorrells is a known gang member.

---

11:25 a.m.

The Chicago Police Department has apologized to Academy Award and Grammy-winning rapper Rhymefest after seeing his video that showed officers seemingly not treating seriously his report of being robbed.

Rhymefest, whose given name is Che Smith, said he was sitting in his parked vehicle Saturday when a man with a gun jumped in and demanded his wallet. The 39-year-old complied and the man fled on foot.

The rapper went to a South Side police district to report the robbery.

Smith said officers were in no hurry to take his report and that when he did sit down with an officer, she insisted he keep his hands where she could see them, expressed doubt about his story and didn't appear to be writing down answers.

He said when he asked to see her supervisor, the sergeant told him to leave. That's when he began filming.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that Chief of Patrol Fred Waller called Smith ''to apologize on behalf of the department for how he was treated'' and to let Smith know detectives would begin investigating the robbery immediately.

---

11 a.m.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is sidestepping questions about the flow of guns into Illinois from his state as the U.S. presidential campaign delves into the issue of Chicago violence.

The Republican vice presidential nominee would not answer direct questions Sunday about guns from Indiana coming into Chicago during CNN's ''State of the Union'' show.

Chicago authorities have said more than half of the guns used in crimes come from out of state, including about 20 percent from Indiana.

The questions came after the shooting death of Nykea Aldridge, a cousin of NBA star Dwyane Wade.

When asked about gun trafficking from Indiana, Pence instead brought up failing schools in Chicago and his running mate Donald Trump's pledge to create jobs.

Two men were charged with first-degree murder on Sunday in Aldridge's death.

---

10:05 a.m.

Chicago police say two brothers have been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of the cousin of NBA star Dwyane Wade.

Authorities say 26-year-old Darwin Sorrells Jr. and 22-year-old Derren Sorrells were charged Sunday in the death of Nykea Aldridge.

Police say the 32-year-old mother of four was pushing her baby in a stroller near a school on the city's South Side where she'd planned to register her children when she was shot and killed. Police say she wasn't the intended target.

Police say the suspects have criminal records.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson plans to release more information at a news conference later Sunday.

share


Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more