On Monday morning, Sept. 8, what began as a routine school drop-off for a young mother ended in tragedy on Chicago’s South Side. Just minutes after kissing her son goodbye and slipping a loving note into his lunchbox, 31-year-old Romeca Meeks-Blackmon was shot and killed.
The Chicago Police Department confirmed that the shooting occurred around 9:05 a.m. in the 2200 block of South State Street. Meeks-Blackmon was struck in the face and died at the scene, according to reports from CBS News, ABC7 Chicago, and FOX 32.
Authorities later identified the victim as Meeks-Blackmon, a devoted mother who had recently celebrated her son’s milestone of starting first grade in August. Local outlet WGN-TV reported that she was killed just moments after dropping him off at school that morning.
The violent loss sent shockwaves through her family and community. On Friday, Sept. 12, loved ones gathered for a candlelight vigil in West Englewood to honor her memory. In a video shared by CBS News Chicago, her mother, Tina McMiller, struggled to contain her grief as she addressed the crowd. “I am broken, I am so broken,” she sobbed, her anguish capturing the depth of the family’s devastation.
Friends and relatives described Meeks-Blackmon as a loving parent who worked hard to give her son stability and joy. Her social media posts often highlighted their bond, from school milestones to simple everyday moments. Those close to her say the note she placed in her son’s lunchbox on the morning of her death was just one small reflection of the care she poured into his life.
As police continue to investigate, questions remain about the circumstances leading up to the shooting. But for her family, the immediate reality is one of unbearable loss: a young boy now facing life without his mother, and a parent left to mourn a daughter whose life was cut short in an instant.
In her final Instagram Story on the morning of her death, Meeks-Blackmon shared a photo of a heartfelt note she had placed in her son’s lunch.
“Happy Monday, son, today is the first start to this and you can start off strong,” the note read. “Always remain yourself. You’re the coolest, smartest and funniest kid I know. I love you so much and you make me so proud. Have a great day. Mommy loves you.”
Following the shooting, a person was reportedly taken into custody but has since been released, according to CBS News Chicago. Meeks-Blackmon’s family continues to seek justice for her untimely death.
According to reports, Meeks-Blackmon was involved in a physical altercation with a woman she knew, who allegedly produced a firearm and shot her in the face. She was rushed to Stroger Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police confirmed, as reported by ABC7 Chicago.
The motive behind the dispute between the two women remains unclear.
WGN-TV reported that detectives have been interviewing witnesses and reviewing available evidence in an effort to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.
Meeks-Blackmon’s family told reporters that she had been working toward a career in nursing. “She was an outstanding mom who always showed up for her son,” they said in a statement. “She had the purest soul and she was the life of [her] friend group.”
The Chicago Police Department has been contacted for additional information regarding the case.
