CHICAGO — A violent incident over the weekend left a mother and daughter shaken after their home in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood was targeted by attackers throwing what the family described as a homemade explosive.
The incident unfolded early Saturday morning in the 7200 block of South Kedzie Avenue, beginning with a knock on the door that escalated into two shattered windows. Patricia Nelson, who has lived in her home for three decades, recounted the alarming sounds. “It was so loud; it sounded like gunshots,” she said.
Nelson, now in hospice care due to a recent diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, was asleep with her daughter, Nisha Thornton, when the attack began. Thornton attempted to persuade her mother to flee as the chaos erupted but noted the distress it added to their already challenging situation. “She doesn’t need this stress,” Thornton remarked.
According to the family, the suspects hurled a device resembling a bomb towards their home. Fortunately, it did not enter the building, but they feared the potential consequences had it done so. Thornton reflected on the dangers: “If it had made it inside, my mom’s oxygen tanks were right there by the window.”
Footage from their security cameras captured the moments leading up to the attack, though the assailants took precautions by wearing masks and gloves, which may hinder their identification. The suspects fled in a dark sedan, and the family is left puzzled about the motive behind the attack. “I don’t have enemies,” Nelson insisted. “I’m 68 and just trying to enjoy my time.”
As they grapple with the aftermath, both Nelson and Thornton wish for accountability and hope that no one else faces similar violence. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and no arrests had been made as of Monday. The Chicago Police Department is currently investigating the episode and urges anyone with information to come forward.
While seeking peace in the remaining time they have together, the family continues to process the trauma of the event that intruded upon their lives. The unexpected nature of the attack has highlighted concerns over safety in their neighborhood, and they remain vigilant as the investigation unfolds.