💔 What happened at 79th & May looked like a random daylight execution… until a private home camera quietly changed everything. On February 4, 2026, at around 1:25 p.m. on Chicago’s South Side, 26-year-old Gabryel Gnia Ayres — “Gabby” — was sitting in the front passenger seat of a white car. Her boyfriend was driving. A baby girl just over one year old was strapped into the back seat. Seconds later, a red SUV appeared, 3–4 suspects dressed in black and wearing masks opened fire — more than 50 shots tearing through the middle of the day. Gabby was hit multiple times and did not survive. The driver was seriously wounded but lived. And somehow, impossibly, the baby was not hit by a single bullet. Police say there have been no arrests. The family is devastated. The community is grieving. But a residential security camera, never meant to be part of the investigation, recorded where the shooters went next. And in doing so, it may have revealed who they really are.

On February 4, 2026, a shocking act of violence unfolded in broad daylight on Chicago’s South Side, in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood at the intersection of 79th Street and South May Street. What initially appeared to be a random, brazen daylight execution has left the community reeling, with unanswered questions about motive, suspects, and justice. The victim, 26-year-old Gabryel Gnia Ayres—affectionately known as “Gabby”—was fatally shot while seated in the passenger seat of a white sedan, her one-year-old daughter miraculously unharmed in the back seat.

The incident occurred around 1:25 p.m., a time when streets are typically bustling with everyday activity. Ayres was riding as a passenger, with her 27-year-old boyfriend behind the wheel. Their infant daughter, strapped into a car seat, was along for what should have been a routine outing. Witnesses and surveillance footage captured the horror: three to four suspects, dressed in black and masked, emerged suddenly—some reports indicate from a red vehicle, possibly an Alfa Romeo or SUV—and unleashed a barrage of gunfire. Evidence markers later placed at the scene suggested more than 50 shots were fired, riddling the white Chevy sedan with bullets. The attackers approached aggressively, firing repeatedly at close range, even doubling back to ensure their target was hit.

Ayres suffered multiple gunshot wounds across her body and was rushed to Little Company of Mary Hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Her boyfriend, identified in some accounts as Devin Draper or by an online alias related to “Skumoneyy,” was struck in the arm and buttocks but survived and was reported in stable condition. Astonishingly, the baby girl escaped injury entirely—a fact family members and community leaders have described as nothing short of a miracle. One witness recalled seeing the child still holding a lollipop, crying amid the chaos as shell casings littered the area, including near the car seat.

The targeted nature of the attack was evident from video footage that quickly circulated online. Shot from a nearby vehicle, it shows the assailants sprinting toward the sedan, opening fire relentlessly before fleeing. The white car veered out of control after the driver was wounded, crashing into a GMC van parked nearby. The van’s driver declined medical treatment. Police from the Gresham District (6th) arrived swiftly, but no arrests have been made as of early February 7, 2026. Chicago Police Department statements have described the incident as a shooting involving multiple suspects, but details on potential motives or connections remain limited in official releases.

The family of Gabryel Ayres has been left devastated. Her godfather, Kirk Bell, spoke publicly about the loss, confirming the presence of the infant and expressing profound grief over a young life cut short. Ayres was remembered by loved ones as a devoted mother, hairstylist, and vibrant member of her community. An obituary highlighted her warmth and the heavy sorrow now echoing through her circle: “At only 26 years old, Gabby’s life was taken in a moment of senseless violence, leaving behind a grief so heavy it echoes through her family, her friends, and the wider community.”

Community response has been swift and emotional. Just steps from the shooting site stands St. Sabina Parish, a longstanding anchor in Auburn Gresham known for its anti-violence advocacy under Rev. Michael Pfleger. On February 6, a prayer vigil drew hundreds, including Chicago Police officers from the 6th District who held a roll call at the intersection in solidarity. Mayor Brandon Johnson attended, addressing the crowd: “Tragedy continues to tear at the thread of the soul of Chicago.” St. Sabina offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrests, urging residents to come forward. Faith leaders and local officials, including Ald. Willie Preston, have called for tips via cpdtip.com, emphasizing that neighbors hold the key to solving such cases.

Social media has amplified the story, with videos of the shooting sparking widespread discussion and outrage. Many users expressed horror at the audacity of the attack in midday, questioning how such violence could occur near a police station and a prominent church. Others debated broader issues: some pointed to reports that the boyfriend may have shared his location online shortly before the incident, suggesting recklessness contributed to the tragedy. Comments ranged from prayers for the family to frustration over persistent gun violence in the city, with some drawing stark comparisons to war zones due to the casual display of firepower.

Yet amid the grief, a quiet breakthrough emerged from an unlikely source: a private residential security camera. While police initially relied on public tips and scene evidence, footage from a nearby home—never intended as part of any investigation—captured critical moments after the shooting. The video reportedly shows the suspects’ path of escape, including their retreat to a waiting red vehicle and additional details about their movements and possible identities. This unintended evidence has shifted the investigation, providing investigators with leads that could identify the masked gunmen and reveal whether this was tied to gang rivalries, personal disputes, or another motive entirely. Community advocates hope it turns the tide toward accountability.

As of now, the case remains open, with no suspects in custody. The Auburn Gresham neighborhood, already burdened by cycles of violence, mourns a young mother lost in an instant. The survival of her baby daughter stands as a poignant symbol of hope amid tragedy—untouched by bullets but forever marked by the sound of gunfire. Family, friends, and strangers alike continue to demand justice, asking why such brazen attacks persist and how many more lives must be shattered before change arrives.

The intersection of 79th and May, once ordinary, now bears the weight of this loss. Candles, flowers, and signs appeared quickly, a makeshift memorial to Gabby and a reminder of the fragility of life in the city. For her daughter, the miracle of survival offers a future, but one shadowed by unimaginable absence. The community vows not to forget, pressing for answers that a single home camera may finally help provide.