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Family mourns, calls for justice at vigil for Homewood teen

Alexis Wilson’s family gathered on what would have been her 20th birthday, Oct. 8, at Baba’s Famous Steak and Lemonade in Dolton.

Rather than a celebration, the event was a vigil to mourn the loss of the Homewood-Flossmoor High School graduate, who was killed by Dolton police at the fast food restaurant on July 27.

Family, friends and supporters offered memories of the teen, but for most, their sadness was laced with anger as they continue to press village officials for a full accounting of the incident.

Cashawn Morris, Alexis’ aunt, was the first to speak. She talked about being at her niece’s birth, even cutting her umbilical cord.

“I kissed her first. I hugged her first. And I handed her over to her mother,” she said. “Our lives were shattered in the blink of an eye.”

The incident in which Alexis lost her life began when she complained about a food order. An employee called the police. When police arrived, Alexis refused to exit the vehicle, telling two officers that she was not properly dressed.

Surveillance and body camera recordings show one officer reaching into the vehicle on the driver’s side and one apparently entering it from the passenger’s side. When the vehicle began to move forward, shots were fired.

Illinois State Police are investigating the incident.

The family contends that the officers’ behavior escalated the situation, which they believe could have been resolved peacefully.

“This didn’t have to happen. They could have called the female officer to help her,” Morris said. “We will not stop fighting for my niece.”

She was the first of several speakers who demanded justice for the family and accountability for public officials.

Willie Hall, founder of Every Child’s Life Matters, offered a refrain for the evening.

“We want justice. We don’t need violence. We need justice. We don’t need anger. We need justice,” he said. “Until we get it, we won’t stop.”

The family’s anger was fueled in part by comments made by village officials immediately after the incident in support of the police action.

Ella Lindstrom, Alexis’ great aunt, said the family would keep her memory alive.

“They dehumanized her to make it justified, but they failed. She was human. She was precious, and she was loved,” she said.

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