Romeca Blackmon, 31—Killed Outside Son’s School After Loving Farewell

The tragedy of Romeca Blackmon’s death is a wound that cuts deep into the heart of Chicago. The 31-year-old mother was senselessly killed in a fatal shooting on September 8, 2025, near her child’s South Loop school, moments after performing a final act of maternal love: walking her 6-year-old son to class and placing a heartfelt, handwritten note in his lunchbox. This brutal act of violence, fueled by a conflict that quickly turned deadly, has left a young boy asking where his mother is and a community demanding accountability.

The Loving Farewell: A Heartbreaking Memory

The image of Romeca placing that loving note—a simple gesture showing how much she cherished him—is the most poignant and heartbreaking detail of this tragedy. It underscores the immense, irreplaceable loss for her son, who celebrated his 7th birthday just days after her murder. Her life, dedicated to kindness and being a loving mother, was violently extinguished in a public area over a disagreement with an acquaintance. The sheer senselessness of the shooting leaves an indelible mark of sorrow on her family.

Three Months of Agony: The Quest for Justice

For three long months following the shooting, Romeca’s family endured the agony of grief without justice. The individual involved was initially detained but later released, prompting immense public outcry. The news that Quadajah Johnson, 31, was formally charged with first-degree murder three months later finally provides a small measure of relief. This breakthrough in the investigation, prompted by concerned authorities and the perseverance of the victim’s family, highlights the importance of pursuing resolution for all acts of violence.

Healing Through Honor: Romeca’s Enduring Love

As Romeca’s family members wear pink and stand together demanding justice, the community unites to honor the memory of the kind, sweet, and loving mother she was. The most profound way to remember Romeca Blackmon is to support her young son, whose life has been irrevocably altered. Her tragic death highlights the dire need for conflict resolution, support, and proper mediation in personal conflicts, so that no mother is ever taken from her child over a senseless act of violence again.