CHICAGO, IL — The Chatham community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Meeyah Smith, a 16-year-old girl whose life was senselessly taken in a shooting late Friday night, July 4, 2025. The incident occurred just before 11 p.m. in the 1200 block of East 83rd Street, where Meeyah and a 35-year-old man were both shot by an unidentified gunman who fled the scene on foot.
Meeyah, who was struck in the throat, was rushed to Jackson Park Hospital but sadly was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed her identity. The second victim, a man shot in the thigh, is expected to recover.
Authorities have yet to make an arrest in connection with the shooting. The motive remains unclear, and police have not confirmed whether Meeyah and the man were targeted or if the violence was random. Area Two detectives are actively investigating, reviewing nearby surveillance footage and seeking witnesses.
A Bright Light Lost Too Soon
Meeyah Smith was known by friends and family as a kind, vibrant, and spirited young woman with dreams still unfolding. Whether she was walking through her neighborhood, participating in school activities, or laughing with friends, Meeyah carried herself with warmth and joy. Her death has left a void that cannot be filled and a community grasping for answers.
“She had so much life ahead of her,” one neighbor said through tears. “She was just a child. This should never have happened.”
Vigils and tributes are being planned to honor Meeyah’s memory. Her loved ones are calling for justice and for greater protections to keep children safe in neighborhoods too often plagued by gun violence.
A Community in Grief, a City Seeking Change
Meeyah’s death is yet another grim reminder of the violence that continues to take young lives on Chicago’s South Side. Community leaders and activists are renewing calls for action—more resources, prevention programs, and a commitment to ending the cycle of violence.
Chicago Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
As her loved ones prepare to lay her to rest, the city remembers Meeyah Smith not for the way she died, but for the light she brought in her 16 short years. She deserved more time, more laughter, more life.
Rest in peace, Meeyah. We will speak your name. We will remember your light.
