A horrific incident unfolded in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday morning, January 18, at around 4:30 am, when a mother of five was fatally shot while on her way to her regular church service.
The victim, identified as 36-year-old Kiara Jenkins, was discovered in an unresponsive state in an alley near her residence on the 6400 block of South Drexel Avenue later in the afternoon, at 2:44 pm. She had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene.
Jenkins, who would have marked her 37th birthday on January 25, 2026, lived on the same block where the tragic event occurred. She was heading for a 5 a.m. service at the Mt. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church when the shooting took place. According to church members, Jenkins was a regular at the early morning service and a lifelong member of the congregation.
A 911 caller reported hearing five shots shortly before 5 a.m. but did not see anything and could not provide a precise location. Police responded but were unable to locate Jenkins. Her body was not discovered until 2:44 p.m.—nearly 10 hours later—when a friend found her in the alley.
Left to grapple with the loss of their mother are Jenkins’ five children, with ages ranging from a college freshman to a 10-year-old. The eldest child, in an interview with ABC7, revealed that the family is striving to support each other and process the tragic incident.
Jenkins was known in her community as a warm and caring individual who was ardently committed to her family and her faith. Those who knew her spoke of her readiness to extend a helping hand to others. Michael Adams, a neighbor, remembered Jenkins as a consistently friendly individual.
The incident took place in Alderman Jeanette Taylor’s 20th Ward. Taylor issued a statement expressing the profound loss experienced by Jenkins’ children. “Her family deserves support, compassion, and justice,” she stated.
Jenkins had been shot in the abdomen and legs. Investigators found seven shell casings at the scene.
The delayed discovery has been cited as an example of the consequences of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to terminate Chicago’s ShotSpotter gunfire detection system in September 2024. That technology, which had previously monitored the Woodlawn neighborhood, could pinpoint gunshot locations down to specific addresses—potentially allowing officers to find Jenkins much sooner. CWB Chicago, which tracks such cases, noted that Jenkins was the 72nd victim found with a delayed emergency response in areas previously served by ShotSpotter since the system was deactivated.
Detectives from Area One are probing the case, with the motive for the shooting yet to be established. No arrests have been made to date, and no suspects have been identified. Both the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office are participating in the ongoing investigation.
Chicago Crime Stoppers has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for Jenkins’ murder. The organization is urging anyone with relevant information to reach out to the Chicago police.
Jenkins’ commitment to her family was palpable to those who knew her, while her regular attendance at church was indicative of the values she endeavored to instill in her family.
Jenkins’ death has left the congregation at Mt. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church reeling. Members of the congregation are grappling with the loss of a woman who was a welcoming presence and a key part of their faith community.
The days and weeks ahead will be filled with sorrow for Jenkins’ children as they navigate life without their mother. The youngest, a 10-year-old, is faced with the harsh reality of growing up without an actively involved parent. The support of the community, including the church where Jenkins was a member, will be instrumental as the family copes with their loss.
