Authorities in Indiana are seeking witnesses to provide information about the death of a mother of six who was struck by a stray bullet while driving home and talking to her child on the phone.
According to ABC7 Chicago, the incident occurred on the night of September 6 in Gary, as police were investigating an earlier altercation. Kia Tidwell, 42, was f*tally struck during the conflict. Despite efforts, witnesses have not come forward, leaving Kia’s family in distress.
“She didn’t live here anymore, but she defended Gary tooth and nail. In the end, for her to be taken out by all the people she advocated for, it’s sad,” said Kia’s sister, Isley Tidwell.
Kia had just left her mother’s house before the incident. “My daughter had just left my house. She stopped by on her way to cook for her other children, her youngest, who’s not even 5 yet, and her granddaughter who is 2,” said Kia’s mother, Charlotte Tidwell. “We’re going to take it as far as we can. It doesn’t stop here.”
An investigation has been launched, but no arrests have been made, per ABC7 Chicago. “There were multiple people who witnessed the incident, and we are asking the public to respond to this senseless, terrible act,” said Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon.
“This is a call to action for the community to come together and find ways to prevent this from happening again,” added Gary Mayor Eddie Melton. “We stand by them. This is not just their loss; it’s the city of Gary’s loss.”
In addition to examining the scene and gathering footage, police stress the importance of witness cooperation in solving the case. “We know that several individuals know what happened,” emphasized Lake County State’s Attorney Bernard Carter.
A GoFundMe has been established to support Kia’s family financially.