Tyshawn Lee's Mom Accused of Using Funeral Donations to Buy New Car

Karla Lee and her late son, Tyshawn. | GoFundMe

Karla Lee was accused on various social media posts of using funds from the GoFundMe page set up by a friend “To Help Me Lay My Baby To Rest” to purchase a 2015 Chrysler 200, according to various news reports.

Lee, who was hospitalized from shock after the discovery of her young son’s bullet-riddled body, defended herself in series of profanity-laced Instagram videos on Saturday. Lee said she used her own money to put a down payment on a new car.

“I got this s*** for my protection...I’m pretty sure that’s something my son would have wanted me to do,” she reportedly said in one of the videos.

Karla Lee said she was afraid of being targeted if she took public transportation, WGN News reported.

The Instagram page with the alleged videos has been taken down.

More than $17,500 has been raised so far to help the mother pay for her boy’s funeral.

Some of the money from the GoFundMe donations was used to put a down payment on her son’s funeral, leaving $13,000, Lee claimed. GoFundMe also deducted its fee.

People took to social media to express their anger — and support — for the 26-year-old mom.

“She had money to buy a car but couldn’t put her child to rest.”

“Buying a car isn’t going to keep you from being a target. You live in Chicago how many times have we seen on the news about ppl being shot sitting in a car or on the expressway …”

“Your son was just murdered. How can you focus on purchasing a new car? I would spend my time and money looking for the killer. Smh!”

“So after she finish paying for her son to be laid to rest what is she suppose to do with the rest of the money give it back?No a car won’t protect her but it sure is safer then the CTA This women is a victim and here we are pointing out something that is so pointless.If she go out and buy 5 cars who the hell cares if y’all don’t like what she’s spending HER money on don’t donate.RIP little man.”

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The reward fund for information leading to the arrests of the killer or killers of the 9-year-old boy now stands at $54,000.

Police believe that someone targeted and lured Tyshawn to the alley in the 8900 block South Damen and then shot the boy multiple times, possibly in retaliation for his father’s alleged gang ties. Pierre Stokes, the boy’s father, has angrily denied the gang accusations.

The community activist priest Father Michael Pfleger, senior pastor of St. Sabina Church, says he won’t stop until the people responsible for Tyshawn Lee’s death are brought to justice.

“I’ll do whatever I have to do to find out who the killer is and put him behind bars,” the priest told ABC-7.

Pfleger has also offered to relocate any citizen who steps forward with information to help police in their investigation.

So far, no arrests have been made in Tyshawn Lee’s murder. A person of interest went to police last week but was released without being charged. Police reportedly reached out to Sam Adams Jr., former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s attorney, to bring the person in for questioning.

Tyshawn Lee’s funeral is set for Tuesday, Nov. 10 with visitation at 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. funeral at St. Sabina Church, 1210 W 78th Pl, Chicago.