When Tashonda Porter learned about the tragic death of 7-year-old Eddimar Hernandez Chacon, she couldn’t help but think of her own daughters. Eddimar was attacked in broad daylight while holding her 17-year-old sister’s hand. Porter’s daughters are 21 and 10, and she imagined her own scenario. To honor Eddimar’s memory, she left a Minnie Mouse headband on the sidewalk, something she thought Eddimar would have liked.
Four days had passed, and the memorial on the 8600 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue continued to grow. Barbie dolls, stuffed animals, flowers, and candles adorned the area. Notes and items like a toy tiara and a cross accompanied a framed photo of Eddimar. Neighbors frequently added more items, each visit marked by a sense of shock and a desire to support Eddimar’s family.
A GoFundMe page had been created to support the family. Many assumed the attack was linked to untreated mental health issues, acknowledging how mental health services had shrunk on the South Side. Shavon Gayden, charged with the murder, had a history of unrelated attacks, though no specific mental illness was noted in court records. Initially, Gayden attempted to attack Eddimar’s older sister.
Robert Rouse, a local resident, expressed his sympathy for Eddimar’s family and even the woman responsible for the tragedy. Rouse recalled another violence episode in November 2025 involving Lawrence Reed and Bethany Magee. Magee survived severe injuries, and Rouse saw similarities in both cases, emphasizing the lack of available support for those needing help.
Shawndel Brown, who runs a nearby party store, said Eddimar’s death changed her perspective on neighborhood safety. Her grandchildren frequently moved between her party store and a beauty salon next door. Brown, deeply affected by the incident, wants more regular law enforcement presence and attention to mental health resources.
At the memorial, Tiger Thompson, an acquaintance of Eddimar’s family, was helping with funeral arrangements. The family had moved from Venezuela a few years prior. Brown approached Thompson, hoping to contribute a balloon arch for the funeral. As they spoke, two Venezuelan men arranged and relit candles at the memorial. Standing by his truck, Thompson wept, overwhelmed by the loss.