A judge had to change courtrooms after family and friends packed the room for the first court appearance of the woman charged in a shooting that killed another woman in the South Loop in September.

Quadajah Johnson, 31, of Des Plaines, was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting that killed Romeca Meeks-Blackmon, also 31, on Cermak Road near State Street.

Johnson was arrested Wednesday at her home in Des Plaines. Now seven weeks pregnant, she appeared for a detention hearing Thursday morning. 

Meeks-Blackmon's mother, Tina McMiller, said her daughter was a kind, loving, and sweet mother. 

Meeks-Blackmon's family and friend wore pink shirts in her memory. Her mother said she's been looking forward to this day for a long time.

"This has been such a hard three months. It's been painful. It's been terrible," McMiller said. "I mean we've been torn apart."

Prosecutors said Meeks-Blackmon had just dropped her 6-year-old son off at school at 9:06 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8. The baby's father, identified in court documents as Witness One, had just parked nearby with Johnson and their six-month-old child in the vehicle. 

Prosecutors said the two women got into a verbal argument. The baby's father tried to break it up, but then, according to prosecutors, became physical with Meeks-Blackmon, putting her in a chokehold. 

Prosecutors said Johnson then walked back to her car, got her gun and shot Meeks-Blackmon multiple times, then fist-bumped the baby's father. 

Meeks-Blackmon was rushed to Stroger Hospital of Cook County, where she died.

"I want justice so I can have peace and mind. It won't bring her back, but it will be little peace now. I just feel like a big bundle has been lifted off my head and heart," McMiller said.

in 2024, Johsnon filed a stalking no-contact order against Meeks-Blackmon. The order of protection was granted in July but never served. 

Johnson does have her FOID card and a concealed carry license. 

She claims self defense, but the judge said celebrating in the street after shooting someone is not self defense.