John Jefferson
A mom of six died after she was hit by a stray bullet and her car crashed into a tree in Indiana.
Kia Tidwell, 42, had been traveling eastbound on 1527 West 5th Ave, Gary, Indiana when she was struck by a bullet at about 8pm on Friday, police said.
Gary Police Department was responding to a disturbance at a nearby McDonald’s when they heard a loud noise near Lincoln Street.
Officers said they attempted to approach a large group of people but shots were fired from behind the apartment building. Police said they were pinned down at their location when they heard several shots in the distance.
The suspects in the restaurant altercation are alleged to have fled on foot.
Ms Tidwell was declared dead at the scene.
US media including CBS and ABC Chicago reported that Tidwell had been on the phone with her oldest daughter when she was shot in the head.
Charlotte Tidwell, her mother, spoke at a police press conference on Tuesday: “My daughter had just left my house.
“On her way Friday she stopped by, and she said she was going home to cook for her other children.
“Her youngest was not even five yet, and her granddaughter was two.”
No arrests been made and Chief Derrick Cannon, of Gary Police Department, said: “There were multiple people there that witnessed this incident and we are asking the public to respond to this senseless and terrible act.”
The family took the stand in the news conference alongside Mayor Eddie Melton, who said: “Enough is enough. This is a call to action for the community to step forward and figuring out what we can do collectively as a community so we can prevent this from happening again.”
Tidwell was part of a large family who are reeling from her loss.
A GoFundMe page, launched for her family, reads: “She was a loving devoted mother who worked two jobs to keep her and her family afloat.
“She was no stranger to her children’s schools; helping and volunteering with sports. Everyone knew her, the loudest mom at the boys games. The one usually cooking for the team, traveling from one game to the next no matter how far she had to drive – she was committed to seeing them to the next level.
“Many days with little or no sleep for her children was her life.”
Reporter Darius Johnson from CBS News described the atmosphere at Tuesday’s news conference: “This was one of the most gut-wrenching news conferences I have ever attended.
“It was full of emotion and that’s because the person who’s life was taken was loved by all.”
The mayor’s office said in a statement : “As the family and our community mourn this terrible loss, we are urgently asking the public for their support in bringing forward any information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of the people involved in this heinous act.
“If you have any information, please call Detective Roger Escutia directly at 219-755-3855, send an email to [email protected] or use the anonymous Text to Tip line (219) 207-TIPS (8477). Any videos can be emailed to [email protected].”
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