2 Brothers Charged in Killing of Chicago Mom Nykea Aldridge

CHICAGO, IL — Two brothers paroled from prison fired the shots that took 32-year-old Nykea Aldridge's life, according to Chicago Police, as the mother of four pushed her newborn baby in a stroller.

Derren Sorrells, 22, and Darwin Sorrells, 26, both gang members, were booked overnight, according to Anthony Gugliemi, communications director for Chicago Police. They are each charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

Darwin Sorrells, convicted of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated battery, felon in possession of a firearm and receiving/possessing a stolen vehicle, was put away in 2013, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections. His brother, Derren, was convicted of aiding and abetting possession of a stolen vehicle. They were released from prison earlier this year.

One of the Sorrells "was on his daily break from an electronic monitoring bracelet," said Police Supt. Eddie Johnson at a Sunday morning news conference, when the shooting took place. "This reprehensible act of violence is the example of why we need to change the way we treat habitual offenders in the city of Chicago. ... When will enough be enough?"

Aldridge was shot in the head and arm around 3:30 p.m. on Friday as she pushed her newborn baby, Da'Kota, in a stroller outside of Dulles School for Excellence on Chicago's South Side. She was fatally wounded as the two men opened fire on another man they intended to rob who had just dropped people off on the block, police said.

Police said Aldridge was not the intended target. Police said there is video of the shooting. A weapon was not recovered.

"I hope the arrest can bring some small amount of closure to their pain," Johnson said.

Aldridge is the first cousin of Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade and the niece of Chicago pastor Jolinda Wade, the basketball player's mom. Outside the hospital where Aldridge was taken, her aunt told reporters she had just participated in a panel discussion at the South Side YMCA Thursday about the violence plaguing the city.

Chicago Police have repeatedly tried to draw attention to a "revolving-door" justice system that puts violent felons convicted of gun-related crimes back onto the streets all-too-quickly. Aldridge's death is another example of the fallout, the superintendent said on Sunday.

Police said the Sorrells brothers are both documented Gangster Disciples members.

"Her life was cut short by gunfire by two convicted felons," Johnson said, explaining that her death "isn't noteworthy because (she has a) famous family member."

Police in the past have said about 1,400 individuals in the city of Chicago drive most of the violence, many of them are gang members and felons with convictions for prior gun-related crimes.

"They don't care who they shoot and they don't fear the consequences," Johnson said.

SEE ALSO:

• Young Mom Shot Dead as She Pushed Newborn Baby in a Stroller Past Chicago School
• Killing of Dwyane Wade's Cousin Yet Another Reason to 'VOTE TRUMP,' Tweets Trump

A vigil for Aldridge took place at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Willie Mae Morris Empowerment Center in Chicago. A trust fund was set up for Aldridge's four children.

“Thank God she was on this Earth for as long as she was to bring joy to our hearts,” her mother, Diann Aldridge, said, according to a Chicago Sun-Times report. “Her life is gone. And she can’t come back. This is my baby girl, just a life that’s gone too soon. She was taken away from us.”

Donations for the "Nykea Aldridge Children's Fund" may be mailed to Seaway National Bank, Attn: Daryl Newell, Chief Retail Officer, 645 E. 87th St., Chicago, Illinois, 60619.

Photo: Darwin Sorrells (left) and Derren Sorrells via Chicago Police

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.