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A mother from Chicago’s South Side, mourning the loss of her teenage son to gun violence, asserts that crime has escalated in the city compared to her own childhood. Marquita Salley recounted a horrific incident on March 13, 2023, when her son, Gregory Bernard Wilson III, was shot and killed in the Chatham neighborhood. He was just 16 years old.
In a candid interview, Salley shared the trauma of that day. She recalled, “The boys pulled up right behind our house. They shot him down in the alley. I mean, I was home. His brother was home, we found my son literally on the ground in the alleys taking his last breath.” Since that tragic day, police have opened a homicide investigation into Wilson’s killing.
Justice for a Young Life Lost
Wilson suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his left arm, chest, and chin on the 400 block of East 88th Street. He was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where doctors declared him dead.
Salley and her family are grappling with the profound grief that follows such a loss. Salley expressed the difficulty of coping with the absence of her son. “When holidays and birthdays and stuff come around, we are together. But the process itself has been rough. Like, he was, a lot of people say they get on TV, ‘Oh, my kid was this good kid.’ My kid was a boy. So, of course, he did the boy stuff, as far as fighting and all of that,” she explained.
Salley firmly contended that Wilson was a good child who fell victim to another youth involved in a life of crime. She lamented, “But as far as guns and selling drugs and robbing and stealing and killing, I didn’t have that type of child, and I feel like he got robbed unfortunately of his life by somebody else’s child who, unfortunately, is into those things.”
A Changing Landscape of Violence
Reflecting on her upbringing, Salley lamented, “It’s gotten worse from when I grew up until now. When I grew up, I could walk from King Drive to Stony Island without a care in the world. I’m 41 at this time.” She emphasized that today, even a short walk to a corner store poses significant risks. “Right now, my son could tell me he’s walking to the convenience store around the corner. No, you are not. No, you’re not. It’s that bad. It has changed tremendously,” Salley said.
The rising tide of violence in Chicago has reached alarming levels. Recent statistics reveal that during Labor Day weekend alone, the city experienced at least 32 shootings, resulting in eight fatalities and numerous injuries, according to police reports.
Community Perspectives on Crime in Chicago
Gaynelle Simmons, Salley’s mother, shared her frustrations regarding the persistent crime in Chicago. At 61 years old, Simmons reminisced about the past when children could safely roam outside. “I know coming up, we could go outside, you can be home when the streetlights come on. Your parents weren’t looking for you; you could be gone all day,” she said.
Simmons recounted a time when children were expected to make responsible choices without parental oversight. She reflected, “But when the streetlights came on, you’d be at home. Your parents trusted you to make the right decisions back then.”
Political Pressure and Criminal Justice Response
The recent surge in violence has prompted President Donald Trump and his administration to criticize Illinois lawmakers who refuse the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. Despite offers for support, Governor J.B. Pritzker and other leaders in the state maintain that such measures are unwelcome.
However, the Trump administration insists on pushing for intervention in a city that struggles with gang violence and poverty. According to 2023 FBI data, Chicago’s crime rate exceeds the national average. Surprisingly, this year, other Illinois cities like Chicago Heights and Rockford reported even higher violent crime rates than Chicago itself.
A Call for National Guard Support
In light of the terrifying situation on Chicago’s streets, Simmons expressed her support for the presence of the National Guard. She stated, “If Mr. Trump wants to bring these troops to Chicago, hey, bring them on. What have we got to lose?” Her statement reflects the desperation felt by many residents dealing with escalating crime.
She acknowledged the need for a visible law enforcement presence, stating, “I don’t want them to get out here and shoot our kids or nothing like that, but be a presence… put some fear in them. Let them know that they’re here, and they want to protect the city of Chicago.”
For Simmons, the fear permeates her community. She noted, “We got elderly people afraid to ride the red line. You got kids can’t go outside and play. You got women don’t want to walk at night alone. Even in the daytime. It doesn’t matter.”
Honoring a Legacy Through Community Action
In memory of her grandson, Simmons founded the Gregory B. Wilson III Foundation, which aims to give back to the community. She has been actively seeking sponsors to support their initiatives. “Since this happened, we all came together, and we wanted to do something to give back to the community because Granny Boo, excuse me, Gregory, but he’s known as Granny Boo,” Simmons commented fondly.
The foundation has organized back-to-school giveaways, which have been well-received. However, Simmons lamented the financial burden on the family, stating, “We need sponsors to come out and help us. We had over 200 to 300 kids and families. We had the characters out there, DJ games; it’s a big event. When his birthday comes, we have a big, big, big celebration. He’ll be 21 in two more years.”
This family’s journey highlights not only the deeply personal impact of urban violence but also the broader societal challenges in a city grappling with crime. The call for support from the community and political leaders resonates loudly as they seek solutions to create a safer environment for all residents.
