By TIFFANY MITCHELL
Homicide Watch Chicago
When Martell Howard was fatally shot two months ago in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, he was hanging out with people he thought were his friends, according to his mother.
“He was not in a gang, he was an outgoing young man who loved his family and friends,” Peaches Barker McCorttrell said of her son.
And she should know.
“Martell was such a great help to me with his younger sister. He would pick her up and watch her until I got off of work," she said.
“My son was so helpful, I remember when I opened up my boutique and I couldn’t afford workers, so he said, 'Mama, I will work for you for free'," she said.
It was a special bond between mother and son.
“Me and my boys were so close, I would put them into programs such as the YMCA, Family Focus, and basketball camps to keep them out of the streets,” she said.
McCorttrell has been devastated by the loss of her son.
“I get comfort in going to the cemetery everyday, I just can’t believe he is gone,” she said.
According to McCortrell, Howard was outside with friends in the Garfield Park area when he was shot. It happened in the 4600 block of West Huron at about 7:19 p.m. Jan. 21.
Police said Howard got into an argument, when someone shot through a crowd of people and killed him.
According to police and Cook County medical examiner’s office, he was dropped off at Stroger Hospital, where he died about an hour later.
Howard was the middle of three children and enjoyed basketball video games, according to his mom.
He also leaves behind two children of his own 6-year-old Treyvon Howard and 4-year-old Contina Howard, his mother said.
“Martell had his kids every weekend and every holiday, but now I have the kids because he’s gone,” McCortrell said. “He was not just a money dad, he was a hands-on dad.”
“The church was packed with family and friends on the day of his funeral, because he was loved by many,” she said.
Howard graduated from Marshall High School, and later worked at Dunkin Doughnuts in Hillsideand Mariano’s in Westchester.
“My son would do anything for you,” McCorttrell said. “He would bring doughnuts to his friends and family just because.”
It’s been hard on his family since that fatal night, but a grieving mother is still trying to help police find the killer.
“My son fell victim to the streets, that’s why I’m doing what I can to get my son’s story out there by putting a $7,000 reward out for justice for my son," she said of the posters she has put up and posted across social media.
She said she felt like a part of her soul left her body when her son died, and she wants the killer to turn himself in.
“I put flyers all over the neighborhood, so Martell's murderer will not get any rest, because every time they look around they will see his picture.”