The former mayor seeks assistance from state leaders to combat rising crime rates following her father's gun violence victimization.
Category: Politics
Former Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard is calling for federal assistance to tackle the alarming crime rates in Chicago after her father was shot in an incident that has shocked the community. The shooting occurred around 5:54 p.m. on March 27, 2026, in an alley located in the North Lawndale neighborhood, an area that has seen a troubling surge in gun violence.
According to Chicago police, Henyard's 65-year-old father was shot in the neck by three unidentified males dressed in dark clothing. He was found suffering from his injuries and was immediately transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he remains in serious condition. Authorities are actively investigating the shooting, with detectives seeking witnesses and reviewing video footage from the area.
In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, Henyard expressed the personal toll that this incident has taken on her family. “Yes, it is true, my family has been directly affected by the senseless gun violence that continues to plague Illinois. Yesterday, my father, my hero, was an innocent victim of this random and heartbreaking violence,” she wrote.
Henyard’s call for action comes as she urges Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to accept federal help from President Donald Trump. She believes that federal intervention is necessary to address the crime crisis that has escalated in the city. “I respectfully urge Governor Pritzker to reconsider working in partnership with President Donald J. Trump to help address this crisis and protect the residents of Illinois, particularly in Chicago,” she said.
She cited successful examples from other cities, noting that communities like Memphis, Tennessee; Washington, D.C.; and New Orleans, Louisiana, have experienced measurable reductions in crime through federal support and the deployment of the National Guard. “Across the country, communities that have welcomed federal support have experienced positive outcomes,” Henyard added.
The shooting incident has reignited discussions about the effectiveness of local leadership in combating crime. Henyard pointed out that the difference between Illinois and other states is leadership’s willingness to collaborate with federal authorities. “The difference between Illinois and those other states is simple: their leadership chose collaboration, and that collaboration produces results,” she said.
Dolton Mayor Jason House also expressed his concern over the incident, stating, “We are saddened to learn of the tragic incident involving her father. Our thoughts are with him as he fights toward recovery, and with his family as they navigate this moment of uncertainty and concern.”
Henyard, who previously lost the 2025 Democratic Dolton mayoral primary, is currently running as a Republican candidate for the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in Georgia. Her political career has been marred by scrutiny due to multiple investigations into her actions during her time in office, including a federal probe related to a $200,000 payment to a contractor with a questionable background.
In her statement, Henyard framed her father's shooting not just as a personal tragedy but as part of a larger statewide crisis. “This incident has shaken my family and reflects a reality faced by many families across Illinois,” she noted. The investigation into her father's shooting is still underway, and police have not yet established a motive for the crime.
As the community grapples with this latest act of violence, Henyard’s plea for federal intervention highlights the urgency of addressing crime in Chicago. The involvement of federal resources, she argues, is a necessary step to restore safety and security in neighborhoods plagued by gun violence.
With the investigation continuing, the community is left to ponder the implications of this incident. The shooting serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that many urban areas face concerning public safety and the need for effective leadership to confront these issues head-on.
As Tiffany Henyard continues to advocate for her father and others affected by violence, she remains hopeful that her calls for action will resonate with state leaders. “The people of Illinois deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods,” she stated. “We must work together to make that a reality.”
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and the community awaits updates from law enforcement as they pursue leads in the case. Henyard’s father’s health remains a priority as the family navigates this difficult time, seeking justice and a broader change to prevent future tragedies.