CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – The Edgewater community on the North Side is reeling from the devastating loss of an 11-year-old boy, Jayden Perkins, who tragically lost his life in a violent attack. The incident, which also left Jayden’s pregnant mother injured, has left neighbors and friends in shock as they come together to mourn the young boy’s untimely death.
On Thursday, a somber gathering outside the apartment complex where the attack occurred saw friends and neighbors honoring Jayden’s memory. Flowers were laid, prayers were said, and balloons were released in remembrance of the kind and helpful young boy who was well-loved by his classmates for his involvement in school plays.
Described as a vibrant child, Jayden’s classmates are struggling to come to terms with his absence. Mason Hamm, one of Jayden’s classmates, expressed his sorrow, saying, “It’s not going to be the same without him.”
Chicago police have taken a suspect into custody, a man with a history of violence against the victim, who had recently been released from prison. The suspect allegedly broke into a home in Edgewater, stabbing Jayden and his pregnant mother, who remains in critical condition.
Neighbors recall hearing screams and cries for help during the harrowing incident. Upon their arrival, police found Jayden with a fatal chest injury and his mother with multiple stab wounds. Jayden was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, while his mother, who is eight months pregnant with a baby girl, fights for her life in the hospital.
Residents of the building remember the victims fondly, describing Jayden as a wonderful child who often played with their kids, and his mother as a lovely woman with well-mannered children. The suspect, a 37-year-old man with a history of domestic violence, had been released from prison not long ago after serving a seven-year sentence. Now, he faces new charges related to this heinous crime.
With the family residing in a first-floor apartment, the victim’s fiancé has expressed frustrations and concerns over the suspect’s release from prison. The young son, aged 5, who was unharmed in the attack, remains a bright spot in the midst of this tragic event. The community has come together to support the grieving family as they try to make sense of this senseless act of violence.