Murder of Shondale Gregory; "Tooka-ville"

At this location on January 12th, 2011, fifteen-year-old Shondale Gregory, known to friends as "Tooka," was shot four times at the westbound bus stop of 63rd Street & Saint Lawrence. According to two witnesses, Gregory had been approached by the gunman, who asked if another bus was coming before moving behind the bus shelter, where he shot Shondale one time and then fired four more shots. The police stated to CBS News that the killing was believed to be gang-related. "We not from 63rd" is a popular phrase used against 63rd Street & Saint Lawrence. This street is home to famous rappers, including FBG Duck and Lil Jay, and is locally referred to as "Tookaville." When rappers like Chief Keef state they are smoking "on Tooka," they are contemptuously speaking upon Shondale "Tooka" Gregory, a slaughtered fifteen-year-old who continues to shape the history of this area.

In January 2014, three years after the death of Shondale Gregory, rapper King Lil Jay released an emotional song titled "Why." The lyrics center upon mourning friends lost to gang-related deaths. In the second verse of the song, he states, "I'm Tookaville; I'm 063, Saint Lawrence, yea that's my block." Shondale's mother states that the street of Saint Lawrence has remained in support of her and her late son. Tooka's mother mentions that the nickname she gave him reaches base on 63rd & Saint Lawrence and its surrounding blocks.

The song released by King Von in 2019, titled "Crazy Story," subjects Von meeting with a woman who had several missed calls from rapper FBG Duck. The lyrics discuss FBG Duck setting Von into a situation of death, ending with a shoot-out. Von then ends the song chanting, "we not from 63rd," as FBG Duck lived in Lawrence as well. The following year, King Von states in his song "All these N*****" featuring Lil Durk, “Tooka in my lung, I say that every time, ’cause he got smoked.”

Von and many rappers say they are "smoking on Tooka." In the summer of 2022, Dominique Boyd- the mother of Tooka- states in an interview that the first person she has ever heard disrespect her son is the famous rapper Chief Keef. Chief Keef, as well as the rappers Lil Durk and King Von, are from Parkway Gardens; a residence within the same zip code where her son grew up, notoriously known as "O-Block." For over a decade, the death of Shondale Gregory has been included in lyrics, and this corner of 63rd & St. Lawrence continues to be a site of remembrance.

Cody, John. Police: Boy, 15, Killed In Possible Gang Shooting, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/police-boy-16-killed-in-possible-gang-related-shooting/. January 12th, 2011. Accessed November 14th, 2022. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/police-boy-16-killed-in-possible-gang-related-shooting/.

Espinoza, Joshua. Tooka’s Mother Calls Out Rappers Who Continue to Diss Her Late Son, Complex. July 2nd, 2022. Accessed November 14th, 2022. https://www.complex.com/music/tookas-mother-addresses-rappers-who-are-disrespecting-late-son-in-music#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMy%20son%20had%20nothing%20to,was%20not%20about%20that%20lifestyle..

Meisner, Jason. 54 slayings, more than 80 charged: As Chicago’s gangs have changed, so have federal RICO prosecutions, November 29th, 2021. Accessed November 14th, 2022. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-chicago-gun-violence-gang-racketeering-cases-changing-20211129-hougln2idzhxpgfkpljdqt6xui-story.html.

Meisner, Jason. Five reputed gang members charged in RICO conspiracy that includes brazen fatal shooting of Chicago rapper FBG Duck, October 13th, 2021. Accessed November 14th, 2022. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/five-reputed-gang-members-charged-164400065.html.