Chicago, Illinois – The community is mourning the tragic loss of Nicholas Hughes, who was fatally shot on Friday, August 16, 2024, in the 7900 block of South Wabash as he was headed to work. Hughes, a devoted husband and father of four with unborn twins on the way, was just starting a new chapter in his life with a job at Pepsi when his life was abruptly taken.
Nicholas Hughes had recently begun working at Pepsi, following a long tenure at FedEx, but had not yet become eligible for benefits. This devastating situation has left his family in dire need of financial assistance to cover funeral expenses. His mother, Nikcole Smith, has organized a GoFundMe campaign to raise $10,000 to help bury her son.
In a heartfelt message, Nikcole expressed the immense pain her family is enduring. "My family and I are hurting, this loss has taken my soul from me, not my ‘Only Son’. I keep asking God Why and How did this happen to my son. I can only come to the conclusion that this had to be a mistaken identity, there is nothing else that I can come up with," she shared.
The tragic news has sparked an outpouring of grief and support on social media. Kat Keri, a friend of the family, posted, "Just one day before the all-class reunion picnic, class of 2013 suffered a tragic loss. Nicholas Hughes, who was a husband and loving father of 4 plus unborn twins, was gunned down due to senseless violence on his way to work."
Dari Sanders, another mourner, echoed the sentiment with, "My heart hurts!!! Whew," to which Kat Keri replied, "It’s truly some bs. Why keep taking the good ones out?"
The family is pleading with the community to support them in this difficult time. Nikcole emphasized the innocence and goodness of her son, stating, "My child did NOT deserve this, I’m hoping whomever did this, find it in their hearts to turn themselves in."
As the family continues to grapple with this unimaginable loss, they are asking for prayers and any financial support that can be offered. The GoFundMe campaign has been set up to cover the costs of Nicholas’s funeral and burial, with his mother pleading for donations, stating, "No donation is too small, whatever you can afford to give please give."
The loss of Nicholas Hughes has shaken the community, and his family is left to cope with the void left by his sudden and tragic passing.