In the wake of the February 4, 2026, daylight shooting that claimed the life of 26-year-old Gabryel “Gabby” Ayers in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood, her brother has come forward with a gut-wrenching account that has deepened the community’s grief and raised new questions about the circumstances surrounding her death. In an emotional interview with local media outlets on February 12, Ayers’ brother—speaking publicly for the first time since the tragedy—revealed the contents of what would be his sister’s last phone call to him, a desperate plea that continues to haunt him. “I could have saved her…” he said, his voice breaking as tears streamed down his face during the interview. “Those words she said to me… they play over and over in my head. If I had just listened closer, acted faster, maybe she’d still be here.” The call came shortly before 1 p.m. on the day of the shooting, as Ayers sat in the passenger seat of a white Chevy sedan driven by her 27-year-old boyfriend, Devin Draper. Their 14-month-old daughter was secured in her car seat in the back. According to the brother, who requested anonymity in some reports to protect his privacy amid the ongoing investigation, Gabby sounded unusually anxious and hurried. “She called me out of the blue,” he recounted. “She said, ‘Bro, something feels wrong today. I don’t know what it is, but I’m scared. Promise me you’ll look out for my baby if anything happens.’ I tried to calm her down, told her she was probably just stressed from work or being a mom. But she kept repeating, ‘Just promise me. Keep her safe.’ Then she said she had to go because she was driving with the baby. That was it. The line went dead.”  Moments later, around 1:25 p.m. in the 7900 block of South May Street, three armed men approached the vehicle and opened fire, unleashing more than 50 rounds. The attackers fled in a red vehicle as the sedan crashed into a nearby van after Ayers and her boyfriend were struck. Ayers suffered fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after. Draper was wounded in the arm and buttocks but survived and was treated at Advocate Christ Medical Center. In an astonishing turn, the toddler emerged completely unharmed—a fact family members and community leaders have called a miracle amid the horror. The brother’s revelation has shifted perspectives on the tragedy. Earlier reports highlighted Ayers’ career as a passionate hairstylist, her dedication to her clients, and her dreams of becoming a postal carrier. A close client had previously shared a chilling morning text from Gabby canceling an appointment with the message, “Something doesn’t feel right. Maybe tomorrow,” fueling speculation that she sensed impending danger. Now, the brother’s account of the phone call adds another layer, suggesting Gabby may have had a specific foreboding or even vague awareness of a threat. Family members, including godfather Kirk Bell, have long maintained that the attack was targeted rather than random. Social media posts from late 2025 referenced by some online discussions alluded to past family losses and threats, including mentions of a deceased brother or relative involved in prior incidents—though police have not confirmed any direct links. The brother declined to elaborate on potential motives but emphasized that Gabby was not involved in any criminal activity. “She was a good person, a loving mom, trying to build a life for her daughter,” he said. “Whatever this was about, it wasn’t her fault. She didn’t deserve this.” The emotional weight of the final conversation has left the brother grappling with survivor’s guilt. “I replay that call every night,” he told reporters. “She was asking for help without saying it outright. I should have pressed her more, asked what was wrong, told her to come home or go somewhere safe. Instead, I brushed it off. Now my niece is without her mom, and I’m left wondering if one different choice could have changed everything.” Community response has been overwhelming. A vigil held February 6 at St. Sabina Parish, attended by hundreds including Mayor Brandon Johnson and local aldermen, focused on ending gun violence while celebrating the miracle of the child’s survival. “If God didn’t show He was still protecting that baby through over 50 shots, I don’t know what else He can show you,” 17th Ward Ald. Andre Poston said at the gathering. A $10,000 reward from St. Sabina and Cook County Crime Stoppers remains active for information leading to arrests. As of February 13, no suspects have been apprehended, and Chicago Police continue to investigate the targeted nature of the assault.  Ayers’ brother has channeled his pain into advocacy, urging anyone with information to come forward. “This isn’t just about my sister anymore,” he said. “It’s about my niece growing up without her mom, about other families who might face the same nightmare. If sharing this helps get justice, then it’s worth the tears.” The toddler, now in the care of extended family, has become a symbol of resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. Fundraisers and support networks have sprung up to assist with her future needs, including counseling and stability. Ayers’ obituary and online tributes describe her as vibrant, kind, and deeply family-oriented—a young woman whose life was cut short in a burst of violence that continues to reverberate through Auburn Gresham. As the investigation presses on, the brother’s words serve as a haunting reminder of how quickly normal moments can turn tragic. The plea in that final call—“Promise me you’ll look out for my baby”—echoes as both a mother’s instinct and a final act of love. For her family, the search for answers and closure remains ongoing, fueled by grief, guilt, and an unyielding demand for justice in a city all too familiar with such heartbreak.