The Little Village neighborhood of Chicago was shaken Friday afternoon after 29-year-old Stevens Jeffrey was shot and killed in a brazen daylight attack while his two young children sat in the back seat of his car.
The shooting occurred around 1:10 p.m. outside a Little Caesars restaurant. According to police, an unknown vehicle pulled up alongside Jeffrey’s parked car before a gunman stepped out and opened fire. Jeffrey was struck multiple times in the face and body at close range.
First responders arrived within minutes but found Jeffrey unresponsive in the driver’s seat. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His children, ages 4 and 6, were physically unharmed but left visibly shaken by the horrifying ordeal.
Authorities recovered multiple shell casings across the restaurant parking lot as detectives canvassed the area for surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses. No arrests have been made, and investigators have not yet identified a motive.
Family members described Jeffrey as a devoted father who worked hard to provide for his children. “He lived for those kids,” a relative said, adding that their loss will be immeasurable.
Community activists have called for swift justice, condemning the continued toll of gun violence on Chicago families. “No child should ever witness something like this,” one organizer said.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation remains ongoing.