HARVEY (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A girl who was shot in the head by a stray bullet Monday night in south suburban Harvey died Tuesday on her 12th birthday.
Kentayvia Blackful was said to have been at a computer around 9 p.m. on the night before her 12th birthday when shooting began outside her home on 158th and Paulina. Kentavia'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.
Kentayvia Blackful was hit in the head and rushed to Christ Hospital where she died around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday on her 12th birthday.
Community activist Andrew Holmes is now asking for the public to help police find the killers, turning over to police any home security video that may shot the two men believed to have been responsible.
"We got to stand up and help this family no matter where they live at. In the suburbs, in the city, outside the city. We have to stand up and get these gun-totin' punks that think they can discharge their weapons and go about their everyday life," he said.
Holmes suggests people call Harvey Police or if they want to remain anonymous, call a national tip line at 800-883-5587.
Holmes said, so far, there is $3,500 in reward money being offered for information that leads to Blackful's killers. He said Cook County Cmsr. Sean Morrison has put up $1,500 of it and Holmes' foundation has put up the other $2,000.
Holmes said he met Wednesday morning with one of the girl's grandmothers where the shooting happened on 158th and Paulina.
"They not doing good right now. They do have family members that have come in from out of town to be closer and console them as they go through this healing process," he said.
