CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The family of a Harvey girl who was shot Monday and died Tuesday — on her 12th birthday — is having a party Saturday for anyone who wants to come because the family says they've done nothing but cry the past few days.
Kentayvia Blackful was said to have been at a computer around 9 p.m. on the night before her birthday when shooting began outside her home on 158th and Paulina. Blackful's grandfather was outside on the porch when the gunman sent bullets through the home's front window and aluminum siding, said a source familiar with the incident.
"In honor of Kentayvia — she was so excited about her birthday — we're going ahead with the birthday party," said Kenneth Donner, the grandfather of Blackful.
He said the party Blackful never had will be at the Markham Roller Rink, 16630 Dixie Highway, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Donner said the party is open to the public.
He said the family, and especially Blackful's six-year-old sister and three-year-old brother, need this party.
The children were in the room with her when someone outside fired shots that hit Blackful.
"For the last three days they haven't seen anything but grown people crying, kids crying, everybody sad," Donner said.
He said after the funeral, he will help gets the family situated in a new place.
"They've got to get out of that house," he said.
Donner added the family had planned to have two parties, but decided to cancel the one set for Sunday.
The family has also started a GoFundMe for funeral costs, already raising nearly $4,000 with a goal of $20,000. So far, 98 donors have backed the fundraiser and some left comments remembering Blackful.
"Never in a million years could you have told us that we would go from planning a birthday party to planning a funeral," the family wrote on the GoFundMe page. "This unforeseen tragedy has caused a major financial burden on our family. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated for her funeral/burial expenses for our dear Tavia. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!"
