By Jessica D’Onofrio, abc7chicago.com
The two brothers charged with killing the cousin of NBA star Dwyane Wade will appear in court Monday.
Police arrested 26-year-old Darwin Sorrells and 22-year-old Derren Sorrells, both documented gang members. They said the community played a big role in apprehending them.
Nykea Aldridge, 32, was shot to death Friday afternoon as she pushed her newborn in a stroller in the Parkway Gardens neighborhood on the South Side. She had just registered one of her kids for school.
Surveillance cameras in the area captured the shooting as well as both men carrying guns prior to the shooting.
Sunday night, family members of Aldridge came together to remember her at a vigil.
For Nykea Aldridge’s mother, this is the second child she has lost to gun violence.
“Just a life that’s gone too soon,” said Diann Aldridge, the victim’s mother. “I miss her. A life is gone.”
Derren Sorrells and Darwin Sorrells Jr., both of Chicago, were each charged with both first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Both are documented gang members and on parole for previous gun charges, police said. Derren Sorrells was released just two weeks ago and was wearing an electronic monitoring device.
“This tragedy isn’t just noteworthy because Miss Aldridge has a famous family member, it’s noteworthy because these two offenders are the prime example of the challenge we face here in Chicago with repeat gun offenders that don’t care who they shoot,” said Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
Johnson said he hopes the arrests “bring some small amount of closure” for the family.
Police said the brothers were aiming for a ride-share driver. Instead, Aldridge was shot four times.
One of the brothers was arrested Friday shortly after the shooting. The other was picked up later in the evening. Both brothers will be in bond court on Monday.
Wade was not in Chicago on Friday, but joined an ESPN roundtable on Thursday about violence in Chicago. He tweeted about his cousin’s death Friday night.
My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
Wade tweeted again on Saturday, saying, “RIP Nykea Aldridge… #EnoughIsEnough.”
The family has established a trust fund for Aldridge’s four children. Donation checks can be made payable to the Nykea Aldrige Children’s Fund and mailed to Seaway National Bank, Attn: Daryl Newell, Chief Retail Officer, 645 E. 87th Street, Chicago, IL 60619.
