A 25-year-old San Diego woman who had recently moved to Chicago was killed over the weekend when she was hit by a stray bullet outside her apartment.
Aaren O’Connor was returning from work around 7:30 p.m. Friday and was sitting in her car when a stray bullet hit her in the back of the head, police said.
O’Connor’s roommate found her unresponsive in the vehicle and she was transported to John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County in critical condition. She later died Sunday, her family said.
“I knew right away that we lost our baby,” said her father David O’Connor. “It’s just absolutely the worst time of my life.”
O’Connor moved to Chicago a year and a half ago from San Diego to work at Tomy, a toy company with offices in suburban Oak Brook.
Her father said he was nervous about his daughter’s move from the beginning.
“I don’t want to say devastated but fearful because I knew the kind of things happening in Chicago,” David said.
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Friends and colleagues in the Chicago area say they vow to continue O’Connor’s memory by giving at-risk kids in Chicago an outlet to keep them away from violence. Donations will fund an after-school program and scholarship in her name.
“We want to target people who want to travel abroad since we know that was something that was very passionate for her,” said her co-worker Sarah Moen.
After all, it was studying abroad that led to her love, friends and family said.
O’Connor’s move to Chicago also meant she would finally be with her long-distance boyfriend, who lived in suburban Elgin. The couple met while studying abroad in Japan and was looking forward to living together after years of long distance.
“When it really happens to you, it feels like a void,” said her boyfriend Carlos Sorto.
A GoFundMe page had been set up to help O’Connor’s family with the funeral costs and remaining donations will start the scholarship program in her memory.
“Our long-term goal is to develop an after school program at a community center in Aaren’s name where Chicago’s youth can come together to receive the caring and resources they need to choose a non-violent path and open their hearts to others,” the page reads. “Other suggestions to provide healing to our community in Aaren’s memory are welcome and encouraged. May she rest in peace.”
