Three days after a beloved Chicago teacher was killed in a drive-by shooting, her loved ones continue to pay their respects as police and community members held a meeting Monday night about violence in the Rogers Park neighborhood.
A memorial stands just steps from where 64-year-old Cynthia Trevillion was shot and killed near the Morse CTA Red Line station on Friday, and on Monday, dozens of people gathered in the middle of the street to reclaim their sense of safety.
Trevillion was in the 6900 block of North Glenwood at around 6:30 p.m. when a vehicle drove up and someone inside opened fire, according to police.
Trevillion was shot in the head and neck, authorities said, and taken to Presence St. Francis Hospital where she was pronounced dead just before 7:20 p.m.
Chicago police said Trevillion was not the intended target of the drive-by shooting.
"We all kind of looked at each other froze," said Melodie Johnson, who witnessed the shooting. "And then guy came running around the corner and said somebody’s died."
Her husband John Trevillion said they were on their way to dinner with friends, walking to catch the train just steps from their home when shots rang out.
John Trevillion said he heard what sounded like firecrackers and quickly dropped to the ground before seeing that his wife had been hit.
Married 29 years, he described Cynthia Trevillion as "an extremely generous soul."
Both teachers, the couple moved from her home state of Michigan to Chicago roughly 15 years ago and have worked at the Chicago Waldorf School ever since.
Cynthia Trevillion taught middle school math, according to the school’s website, and recently became an education support specialist, helping children who needed extra guidance in the classroom.
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"She was able to see in the child what was holding them back from learning," said Rev. Ann Burfeind of the Christian Community Church in Rogers Park, where a wake was held for Trevillion's loved ones to say their goodbyes.
Some of her students came together at a candlelight vigil Saturday night.
The impact of the loss was deeply felt at both her school and the greater Rogers Park community.
The same night Cynthia Trevillion was killed, a 15-year-old boy was shot about a mile away, leaving many area residents concerned.
"It could have been me. It could have been me. I feel sorry for her husband," said neighbor Marshall Jenkins.
Monday's meeting began with prayer in the middle of the street - then ended early with shouting, as wounds of fear and frustration were on display from residents loudly demanding more specific solutions.
"Attend a beat meeting, start a block club, work with a child," offered 49th Ward Ald. Joe Moore - none of them quick solutions, but important tools in the push to prevent crime.
