ENGLEWOOD — Corey Strother's struggle for his life came to an end Friday, when the 16-year-old died from wounds suffered in a December shooting in Englewood, according to authorities and his family.
The boy was shot on Dec. 22 in front of his family's home and in full view of his family and neighbors. The eight months since were filled with tremendous pain, progress and setbacks, until his family decided to take the boy of life support, Corey's older sister said.
After being shot in his back and neck, Corey was brought to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said at the time.
His sister, Brianna Young, said Corey fought for his life and got well enough to leave the hospital for an in-patient therapy center, where he was making progress until a series of setbacks, Brianna said. She said he developed a number of new ailments that significantly reduced his quality of life.
"He started having medical conditions," said Young, 23. "We didn't want him to live like that no more."
The decision to take Corey off life support was extremely difficult for the family, Young said. On Tuesday, Corey's mother declined to speak, saying it was too early for them to put their grief into words. His father also declined to be interviewed, saying he was focused on helping his other children.
"It's a rough time," said Corey's dad, Corey Strother Sr. "My kids are on edge right now. They're frustrated."
Corey, his five siblings and his mother and father were all outside their home in the 5900 block of South Princeton Avenue on Dec. 22 when a man with a gun walked up to them, police said at the time.
Young said she remembers seeing the man walk up with a gun.
"I remember him say, 'Yeah, what was that?' [to Corey], and then I heard the shots," she said.
He was 15 at the time of the shooting, according to media reports.
Corey did not have known gang ties, police said, but he appeared to be the intended target of the shooting.
Swonn Herron, 23, was arrested in the case. He is facing attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm and his bail was is set at $750,000.
His charges have not been upgraded in light of Corey's death, prosecutors said this week. His death has not officially been ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, but Herron has a Sept. 9 court date where new charges could be filed, prosecutors said.
Young said the family did not know the man who fatally shot Corey, and they were not sure why he was shot.
The shooting was shocking, especially since Corey stayed to himself and made an effort not to go out much in fear of the city's rampant violence, Young said.
She said Corey, a Dunbar High School student, didn't go out at all in the days immediately before his shooting, so she couldn't see how the shooting could stem from a personal conflict.
Corey was described as a respectful kid who kept to himself and liked music. His family was much loved and his dad is a well-known DJ in the neighborhood, neighbors said.
"He was a genuinely good kid," Young said. "He was a well-mannered young man."
Corey's death adds another young name to the list of people killed in August, the deadliest month in Chicago in decades.
Young said her family's corner of Englewood has seemed more violent this year than in previous ones. But she never thought it would hit her family so directly.
"I'd never thought of losing him," she said. "It hurts. It's way too early."
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