Young Mother Identified as Victim in Fatal Altgeld Gardens Shooting
CHICAGO — A community on Chicago’s Far South Side is in mourning after a young mother was fatally shot Sunday evening in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the victim as 26-year-old Dajah Manning, who lost her life following a violent altercation on August 31, 2025.
According to Chicago police, the shooting occurred in the 13200 block of South Ellis Avenue during what began as an argument between Manning and another woman. Witnesses reported that the confrontation escalated quickly, culminating in gunfire that struck Manning. Officers responding to the scene found her with critical injuries. Despite emergency aid, she was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.
As of late Sunday, no arrests had been announced. Detectives are working to identify the suspect involved and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Authorities have not yet released details about what sparked the argument, but the case has already drawn significant attention in the neighborhood, where residents say disputes too often turn deadly.
Family members describe Manning as a devoted mother whose life revolved around caring for her young child. Loved ones expressed devastation over her sudden and violent death, recalling her as a woman full of energy, kindness, and resilience. “She was a good mom and a good friend. She didn’t deserve this,” one relative shared through tears.
The Altgeld Gardens community has been grappling with ongoing concerns about gun violence, and Manning’s death has reignited calls for peace and accountability. Community leaders emphasized that behind every statistic is a real person, a family left shattered, and a child now facing life without their mother.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled Manning’s death a homicide. Police confirmed that their investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information to contact the Area Two detectives or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
For now, family and friends are left grieving a life cut tragically short. As tributes pour in, Manning is remembered as a loving mother whose memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her best.
