Mom mourns son shot to death in Greater Grand Crossing: 'This loss has taken my soul from me'
A man who was slain near his home as he headed to his new job was remembered by his mother as "a family man" who worked hard to provide for his wife and kids.
Nicholas Hughes, 30, was going to work and got into his car in the 7900 block of South Wabash Avenue about 6:40 a.m. when armed assailants approached and shot him, police said.
He was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center where he later died, according to police.
"He was a family man," Nikcole Smith told the Sun-Times. "He took care of his wife and children and wasn't a person out doing anything [wrong.]"
Hughes leaves behind his wife of 11 years, Tammie Russell, four children — three boys and a girl — and a pair of unborn twins. Hughes graduated from Percy L. Julian High School in 2013 and later studied at Richard J. Daley College.
"I will miss having cookouts, being able to relax and spend time with my child," Smith said. "It was unexpected, and we don't know who did this [and] want it to be solved."
Two months ago, Hughes had started a new job with Pepsi after working at FedEx for several years, Smith posted on GoFundMe, where she started a campaign to raise funds for the funeral. Hughes worked such a short time at the soft drink company, his benefits had not kicked in yet. Smith is seeking help to raise money for the funeral, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday.
In the GoFundMe campaign page, she wrote, "My son was one of the good ones ... He worked every day to provide for" his family. As of Thursday night, the campaign had raised a little over $1,000 of the $10,000 goal.
She continued, “My family and I are hurting, this loss has taken my soul from me … I keep asking God why and how did this happen to my son.”
The Chicago Police Department is still investigating Hughes' slaying and looking for potential suspects.
“[There is] no one in custody at this time,” Kellie Bartoli, public information officer of Chicago Police Department, said in an email. “It is an open investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact the police.”