19-year-old Cyra Magby was living life just like the average teenager. She made great accomplishments this year by graduating from Englewood Stem High School, where she was a member of the basketball team. The unthinkable happens to Cyra, just like many other teenagers living in Chicago. She was murdered while driving her vehicle in the back of the yards neighborhood.
At 11:01 p.m. in the 800-block of Garfield Boulevard this past Tuesday, her family’s lives changed forever. The victim and another 19-year-old woman were approached by a silver SUV while sitting in their white Chevy Malibu, when they began to fire shots.
Cyra was shot in the upper back causing her to lose control of her vehicle and crashed into a Volkswagen Jetta. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and later died from her injuries.
Let’s tackle the effects of gun violence on our youth. Mental health Exposure to gun violence can have a direct impact on youth mental health. Symptoms of PTSD, such as hypersensitivity and lack of impulse control, can be experienced by some youth in Chicago.
Students who live near homicides may fall behind academically. However, schools with positive climates and trusting relationships between students and adults can help mitigate this effect. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children in Illinois, with an average of 183 children and teens dying each year. In 2022, one in every 1,000 Chicagoans was a victim of gun violence.
The City of Chicago has implemented some initiatives to address youth violence, including gang interventions and a Youth Shooting Review, but is that enough?
For more informative information on the lasting impact of exposure to gun violence visit Undark.org.
