by Chicago, Illinois — As investigators continue to examine the killing of a mother of five found shot to death in a Woodlawn alley, residents are demanding answers about a troubling gap in the police response — why it took nearly 10 hours to locate her body after gunfire was reported.
The victim, Kiara Jenkins, was discovered in an alley near 64th Street and Drexel Avenue on the afternoon of January 18, hours after neighbors say multiple gunshots rang out before dawn.
Gunshots Reported Before Sunrise
According to law enforcement sources, an off-duty Chicago police officer who lives on the block was awakened around 4:30 a.m. by at least five gunshots. The officer called 911 shortly afterward, reportedly providing details about the number of shots, the direction they came from, and even a badge number to emphasize the urgency.
At 4:54 a.m., the 911 call was logged. Police records indicate the incident was categorized as a “shots fired” call.
Yet despite that information, Jenkins’ body was not found until roughly 10 hours later.
“The police didn’t get into the area until the afternoon,” said one neighbor, who asked not to be identified.
Call Closed Within Minutes, Neighbors Say
Police officials confirmed that officers responded and that the shots-fired call was closed out by 5:08 a.m., just minutes after it was received. However, the department has not publicly explained what actions were taken before the call was closed or whether officers physically searched the alley.
“Something’s definitely missing,” the neighbor said. “Maybe she could’ve had a chance.”
Residents say the lack of clarity has only deepened concerns about how the situation was handled in those critical early moments.
Security Cameras Show No Police Presence
In the alley where Jenkins was eventually found, neighbors say numerous homes and buildings are equipped with security cameras that record activity around the clock.
Several residents reviewed their footage from the early morning hours and shared it with investigators. According to neighbors, none of the videos show a police vehicle entering the alley between 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m., when officers were reportedly responding to the call.
“If a police car had come down the alley, the cameras would have picked it up,” the neighbor said.
Police have not confirmed whether officers physically entered the alley during that time.
Body Found Only After She Didn’t Show Up to Church
Jenkins’ body was ultimately discovered later that day by a friend who went looking for her after she failed to arrive at church, something neighbors say was completely out of character.
She was found near her vehicle in the alley. Police have confirmed that her car, purse, and identification were all at the scene, but have not said whether her keys were found nearby or whether there were signs she tried to seek help.
“For that much time to go by, it doesn’t make sense,” the neighbor said.
Car Alarm Heard for Nearly an Hour
Adding to the unanswered questions, several residents said they heard a car alarm repeatedly going off in the alley for more than 40 minutes after the gunshots.
“It woke me up out of my sleep,” the neighbor recalled. “That car alarm — was that her trying to get help?”
Neighbors say if officers had entered the alley shortly after the 911 call, they may have heard the alarm and realized something was wrong.
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Family and Community Want Answers
Police have not said whether Jenkins could have survived if she had been found sooner, and investigators have not released details about the timeline of her injuries.
Still, residents say the delay is impossible to ignore.
“I feel the family deserves to know,” the neighbor said. “Where were police? Where was the response?”
The Chicago Police Department has not publicly elaborated on why the shots-fired call was closed so quickly or whether internal reviews are underway.
Case Remains Under Investigation
Detectives continue to investigate Jenkins’ killing, and no arrests have been announced. Police have not said whether surveillance footage has identified suspects or vehicles involved in the shooting.
For now, the Woodlawn community is left grieving the loss of a mother — and questioning whether a faster response could have changed the outcome.
Do you think police procedures for “shots fired” calls need to change to prevent delays like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
