CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- In the wake of tragedy, the local music community is stepping up to support one of their own, an innocent victim of gun violence.
Local bands Mock Nine, Friko and Neptune's Core will play a benefit show at Martyr’s, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. Nov. 30, originally a show that 15-year-old Rylan Wilder’s band Monarchy Over Monday was supposed to play as well.
Last week, Wilder was working as an intern at UpBeat Music and Arts, 4318 W. Irving Park Road, when he was shot in the abdomen and arm as police fired at bank robbery suspect Christopher Willis, who had been chased from Des Plaines in a stolen car on Nov. 19.
The family has since extended the goal at least twice, which now stands at $75,000 and $56,281 has been donated as of Friday afternoon. More than a million people have donated and it’s been shared over four million times, per the page site.
“We appreciate how fortunate we are and are grateful for the support we have already received from family and friends,” wrote Wilder’s parents Tom and Lucia. “We are especially grateful to his amazing, specialized team of selfless doctors and nurses. We know we are lucky. Whether you are able to contribute or not, we thank you for your continued support, thoughts, and/or prayers.”
All proceeds from the Martyr’s show will go to the GoFundMe to help pay for Wilder’s medical bills.
A post shared by Monarchy Over Monday (@monarchyovermonday) on Oct 4, 2019 at 5:32am PDT
The young musician’s story has spread quickly throughout the Chicago music community, and several musicians have reached out to Wilder to offer words of encouragement, support and even jam sessions when he’s better, reported the Chicago Tribune.
Wilder's parents filed a lawsuit and said they want answers from police about what happened.
Throughout this whole experience, Morales said he was more concerned about others than himself.
“Rylan was talking, being so brave and just more concerned about others," she said.