Slain City Worker Remembered During Anti-Violence Event
(CBS) -- As the number of shootings across Chicago continues to grow, so does the "Prayer on the 9" Project.
Saturday marked the 6th annual event to honor families who have lost loved ones to violence.
The event was especially timely because of Friday's deadly shooting at 35th and State, just two blocks away from Chicago Police headquarters.
Pastor John Hannah said the death of one of the most recent victims – Yvonne Nelson, 49 – hits home.
"That young lady was a sister of one of our members, so then I had to go to that home and pray with that family," he said.
Nelson was shot and killed while walking out of a Starbucks.
Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson remembers Yvonne because she worked as a 3-1-1 operator for the city.
"It's a personal thing for us now because that's one of our own," he said.
Yvonne lived in Bronzeville. Her neighbors are still in disbelief.
"To hear that your neighbor getting shot at a place that you frequent and your neighbor across the street, it's very disturbing it hits home," Vanessa Emmanuel said.
Ted Lewis bonded with Yvonne over their love of dogs. He's taking care of her pooch, Max, while her family deals with their tragic loss.
"Max was her baby," Lewis said.
No one is in custody for the shooting.
As part of Saturday's event, hundreds of people lined 79th street on the South Side of Chicago to pray for an end to violence. At one point, relatives of victims lay in the intersection at 79th and Cottage Grove.
