Community Reacts to Tragic Death of 7-Year-Old Eddimar Hernandez Chacon

When Tashonda Porter learned about the death of 7-year-old Eddimar Hernandez Chacon, she immediately thought of her own daughters. The news hit close to home as Eddimar was attacked in broad daylight while holding her 17-year-old sister’s hand. Porter, a 45-year-old mother of two, brought a black Minnie Mouse headband to the makeshift memorial, believing it would have been something Eddimar might have liked. The memorial, located on the 8600 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, was filled with Barbie dolls, stuffed toys, flowers, and prayer candles placed by numerous visitors.

Each addition to the memorial represented the community’s shock and their empathy for Eddimar’s family. People wanted to show support and solidarity with the grieving family through tokens. Many concluded that the attack was linked to untreated mental health issues, a growing concern in their community. Court records showed that Shavon Gayden, the suspect, had a history of seemingly random attacks, although no specific mental health diagnoses were indicated. Prosecutors revealed that Gayden initially targeted Eddimar’s older sister, who walked beside her sibling at the time of the attack.

Just imagine how that 17-year-old felt. She’s going to have to live with the rest of this trauma for the rest of her life,
said Porter.

Robert Rouse, 67, expressed his sorrow for the entire family and even the woman allegedly responsible for Eddimar’s death. He recalled a similar act of violence from November 2025, when Lawrence Reed tried to set Bethany Magee on fire on a train. Rouse highlighted systemic failures in accessing mental health support as a common issue between these incidents.

Shawndel Brown, who runs a party store near the scene, shared her concerns. Her family operates businesses on the street, and the tragedy has made her rethink safety measures for her grandchildren who often visit. She left a gift basket and a balloon at the memorial but felt deeply shaken by the events. She advocated for a stronger police presence in the area and more resources to support mental health.

At the memorial, Tiger Thompson, who employs Eddimar’s mother, was offering his assistance in planning the funeral. Eddimar’s family, who migrated from Venezuela to Chicago, received support from community members eager to help. Two Venezuelan men who visited rearranged some of the memorial items and relit candles, demonstrating their shared sense of community and loss. As Thompson observed these gestures, overcome with emotion, he was moved to tears.