Dalilah Batay, 12, Victim of Fatal Shooting on Chicago’s South Side February 9, 2025 Chicago, IL – Dalilah Batay, a 12-year-old girl who was full of promise and life, tragically became the latest victim of gun violence on Sunday night, February 9, 2025. At approximately 9:30 p.m., officers from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) responded to reports of a shooting near 92nd Street and Harper Avenue, in Chicago’s South Side. Upon arrival, they found Dalilah suffering from a gunshot wound to her face.

Despite immediate efforts by emergency responders to stabilize her, Dalilah was rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Her death marks a heartbreaking loss for her family, who had been eagerly anticipating her upcoming 13th birthday.

Authorities have not released further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting, and as of this moment, no suspects are in custody. The Chicago Police Department’s Area Two Detectives are actively pursuing leads and gathering evidence. The community is left in shock and grief, with no answers about how a young life was cut short so violently.

As the investigation continues, Dalilah’s family, friends, and community members are left to grapple with the senseless loss of a child whose future was taken away far too soon. In the wake of this tragedy, Dalilah’s family is not only mourning the loss of their beloved daughter but also finding themselves having to prepare for a funeral rather than a birthday celebration—a stark reminder of the harsh realities of gun violence in Chicago.

Dalilah’s tragic death is another in a long line of shootings that have claimed the lives of young people in the city, highlighting the need for more proactive measures to combat gun violence and protect vulnerable members of society. The grief felt by her family is compounded by the deep frustration felt by many in the community who are asking the painful question: how many more children must die before we see meaningful change?

Obituary: 12-Year-Old Dalilah Batay’s Life Cut Short in Chicago’s Ongoing Gun Violence Crisis February 9, 2025

The South Side of Chicago was once home to a young girl with so much potential. Dalilah Batay, only 12 years old, was taken from her family and community in a senseless act of gun violence. Just weeks away from celebrating her 13th birthday, Dalilah’s life was tragically cut short when she was shot on the night of February 9, 2025.

Dalilah was a student with dreams of the future. A smile that could light up a room, Dalilah was the type of child who would have gone on to achieve great things—had she been given the chance. Sadly, she was instead taken by a bullet, a victim of the unrelenting gun violence that continues to plague the South Side of Chicago.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. that fateful Sunday night, Dalilah was struck by a gunshot while near 92nd Street and Harper Avenue. Chicago police officers responded quickly to the scene, but despite the best efforts of emergency responders who rushed her to Comer Children’s Hospital, Dalilah was declared deceased upon arrival.

In the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy, Dalilah’s family is left to pick up the pieces of their lives. Instead of planning for a joyous birthday celebration, they now face the painful task of preparing for a funeral—a reality that no parent should ever have to face. Her loved ones are in disbelief, struggling to comprehend how a young child’s future could be so violently stolen away.

The loss of Dalilah comes at a time when Chicago continues to wrestle with a gun violence epidemic that shows no sign of slowing down. Despite the best efforts of law enforcement, shootings remain a daily occurrence, and lives like Dalilah’s continue to be cut short.

Dalilah Batay’s death is a reminder of the profound impact of gun violence on our children, and her story underscores the urgent need for change. Her family, friends, and community will forever feel the void left by her absence. The people who knew her best are left not only mourning her loss but grappling with the difficult reality that Chicago’s streets continue to claim innocent lives far too young.

Batay’s Untimely Death Calls Attention to Gun Violence Crisis in Chicago
February 9, 2025

Dalilah Batay, a vibrant and promising 12-year-old girl, is dead after being shot on the evening of Sunday, February 9, 2025. Authorities in Chicago have confirmed that Dalilah was the victim of a fatal shooting near 92nd Street and Harper Avenue on the city’s South Side. At approximately 9:30 p.m., police officers responded to reports of the shooting and found Dalilah with a gunshot wound to the face. Despite efforts to save her life, Dalilah was pronounced dead after being rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital.

At just 12 years old, Dalilah was looking forward to the milestone of turning 13, but her dreams were shattered when her life was violently taken. Now, instead of celebrating her birthday, Dalilah’s family must bury her. This tragedy serves as yet another painful reminder of the unchecked gun violence that continues to devastate families and communities across Chicago.

The investigation into Dalilah’s death is ongoing, with police yet to release details surrounding the incident. As of now, no suspects are in custody, leaving Dalilah’s family and the community with no answers. Despite the uncertainty of the situation, what is clear is the deep emotional impact of this tragic event. Her death has sent shockwaves through her neighborhood, where her vibrant presence and potential will be sorely missed.

The shooting death of Dalilah Batay is not just a family’s loss; it is a community’s loss. Dalilah was just beginning to experience the joys of childhood, with a future full of hope and potential ahead of her. Now, the ongoing violence in Chicago has robbed her of that future.

This heartbreaking event brings to light the ongoing struggle with gun violence in Chicago, where far too many young people are caught in the crossfire. Dalilah’s tragic death is a stark reminder of the need for greater action to combat gun violence and protect children from becoming victims of senseless shootings. While the investigation continues, one thing remains painfully clear: more must be done to end the violence that continues to claim the lives of too many young people in the city.

Obituary: 12-Year-Old Dalilah Batay’s Death Highlights The Need for Change Amid Chicago’s Gun Violence Crisis
February 9, 2025

Dalilah Batay, a 12-year-old girl from Chicago, was fatally shot on the night of Sunday, February 9, 2025, in a tragedy that has left her family, friends, and community heartbroken. The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. near 92nd Street and Harper Avenue, an area of Chicago’s South Side. Officers with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) arrived at the scene to find Dalilah suffering from a gunshot wound to the face. Despite the swift response from paramedics and the efforts of medical staff at Comer Children’s Hospital, Dalilah was tragically pronounced dead.

Dalilah’s death has left a profound void in her family’s life. At just 12 years old, she had so much to look forward to: her upcoming 13th birthday, her education, her friends, and her future. Instead of preparing for a birthday celebration, her family is now faced with the agonizing task of laying their beloved daughter to rest. This is a pain no parent should ever have to endure, and the grief of Dalilah’s family is compounded by the overwhelming sense of loss that the community now shares.

Dalilah was a young girl who loved life, but her life was stolen in an instant. Authorities are still piecing together the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and no suspects have been arrested at this time. The community is left in shock and disbelief, struggling to understand how such a young life could be taken so violently.

The loss of Dalilah Batay is yet another tragic reminder of the ongoing gun violence crisis in Chicago. Families and communities continue to grieve as lives are lost in senseless acts of violence. Dalilah’s death raises critical questions about the safety of Chicago’s streets, the effectiveness of current policies, and the urgent need for more action to protect children and families from the ravages of gun violence.

Dalilah’s untimely death calls for reflection, not only on the personal tragedy of losing a young life but also on the societal failure to address the root causes of violence in Chicago. How many more lives need to be lost before real, meaningful change is made? The loss of Dalilah will forever impact her family, her friends, and the community that loved her—and her death is a painful reminder that the fight to end gun violence in Chicago is far from over.