Who is Jontae Adams? Father of Jaslyn Adams, 7, shot at McDonald's, says ‘I want my baby’s killers in jail’
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: At the vigil held for 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams, the ambiance was somber. On Sunday, April 18, the child was killed in a shooting where she was gunned down not once but six times. By the time that she was taken to the hospital, it was too late.
Adams was sitting in the car along with her father at the McDonald’s, at 3200 W. Roosevelt Road in the Homan Square neighborhood on the West Side, waiting for their turn to pick up food when the shooting took place. According to the latest reports, the suspect wanted in the murder of the 7-year-old was nabbed by police on the Eisenhower Expressway on Thursday afternoon, April 22, and shot. At the time of the altercation with the police, he was in the midst of an attempt to carjack someone.
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Police Superintendent David Brown reportedly said the suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment. As per the latest reports, no officers were hurt in the shooting and he is expected to survive.
'It’s just tragic'
The vigil held in the memory of the 7-year-old was a heartbreaking affair. Her family took to the stage to remember her and pay their respects - they remembered her as a fun and loveable young girl. Her grandmother, Lawanda McMullen, described her as a "normal 7-year-old." Adams was a student at Cameron Elementary School. According to reports, Jaslyn enjoyed TikTok videos, dancing and singing, and playing with Barbies, McMullen said, adding that she also loved her grandmother's two cats.
"It’s just tragic," she said. Her grandmother recalled times when Adams used to stay back at home with her and leave her bike and shoes there. "It's about time we all take a stand because they have to put down these guns," said McMullen.
Johnny Adams, who said he was Adams' grandfather, reportedly demanded tighter gun laws and more community programs and activities for kids. "Our kids don’t even have an opportunity to grow up," he said.
A neighborhood gathered to mourn
The vigil, which took place on Wednesday evening, April 21, saw the attendance of about 75 neighbors, family members and friends gathered in East Garfield Park. Many from the community were even trying to help the cause - offering a reward for information. "Perhaps they did not intend to kill a child, but they did," Rev Marshall Hatch reportedly said. "So that person needs to be brought in by anyone who knows him."
According to reports, Ald Michael Scott Jr was at the McDonald's drive-thru getting food with his son just days before the shooting. "I cannot believe in the community in which I live and raise my children that they cannot feel safe going to a McDonald’s. That is absurd," he told the crowd. "But we can change that. We can change that. Not the Police Department, not the faith leaders - we as a community."
Who is Jontae Adams?
Jaslyn Adam's death has been heartbreaking for the entire community. But the worst hit is her father Jontae Adams. Jontae was also wounded in the shooting that took place on Sunday afternoon. He was shot in his lower back and following hospital visits, he was walking with the help of crutches and people around him.
Chicago Sun-Times reported that Jontae said the mental and emotional pain of losing his daughter outweighs the physical pain. "That’s my baby I just lost," Adams said. "I got shot. My baby got shot six times. I want my daughter’s killers locked up."
Without divulging details about what happened that day, he said that the last moments of his daughter are the ones that are going to haunt him forever. As per reports, the last thing she said was "Daddy!" in a panicked voice, Jontae recalled. "I see my daughter face down in my car. Oh, I will never forget ... I want my daughter’s killers locked up."
"All these cameras, use them, use them. I want justice for my baby,” he said while surrounded by his family. "I want my baby’s killers in jail."