Arsonist set fire to Halloween decorations in Lincoln Square
Chicago police said eight times, the suspect set sidewalk Halloween displays and garbage cans on fire.
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Shardaa Gray is a Multimedia Reporter for CBS News Chicago. She joined the team in December 2021. She was born and raised in the south suburbs. She's happy to return home to report on her community.
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Shardaa previously worked at KOKH in Oklahoma City for five years, where she was the morning reporter.
Prior to that, she reported in at KSN in Wichita, Kansas; and WJFW in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
A native of the South Side, Shardaa graduated from Columbia College Chicago, where she earned her B.A. in journalism, and is a proud graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School. She is a proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
When she's not chasing a story, Shardaa loves to spend time with her family, dogs and exploring the city. You can probably catch her at a Bears, Bulls, White Sox, or Cubs game.
Chicago police said eight times, the suspect set sidewalk Halloween displays and garbage cans on fire.
The atmosphere outside and inside the mosque was somber as many made their way in to pay their respects to the family of Wadee Alfayoumi.
Prosecutors said Joseph Czuba, 71, wanted the victims to move out of the home they rented from him, and believed he and his wife "were in danger," because he feared the woman he stabbed "was going to call over her Palestinian friends or family to harm them."
"This offender is not sympathetic at all. To sit there and say that you're sorry for what happened and you're sorry for Ella's death and then turn around and say 'I think my brother is innocent' is disgusting."
"I love this event, especially because of things like you see here. And just showcasing Black girls being able to do things and it inspires younger Black girls to be able to pursue those things."
"Everyone was texting me, are you ok? Is everyone OK? By the grace of God, we weren't walking by our house."
CPD said the shooting prompted them to shut down Blum restaurant and bar. People who work in the area said this closing couldn't have come any sooner.
Four of the eight victims were listed in critical condition Sunday afternoon.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, who inherited the event from his predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, previously had been noncommittal about bringing the race back.
Once a packed meeting got under way, residents booed and chanted at city leaders. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they lashed out.
"This is a humanitarian need given that we have children right now at police stations. Many children already have chronic bronchitis. They have complications at birth from mothers, who had to give birth in inhumane conditions."
Among the victims is a 7-year-old boy who suffered a graze wound to the head.
Late Wednesday night, we were there as adults and small children stepped off one of the buses, and greeted with blankets.
Francisco Benitez, 52, claimed Chicago police framed him. In August, his murder conviction was tossed out by a judge.
"We've only gotten two 6% wage increases in the last eight years. Our wages are 21% behind when you look at inflation. And the company has a 20% offer on the table right now."