Nearly ten days after the tragic February 4, 2026, shooting that claimed the life of 26-year-old Gabryel Ayers in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood, a startling new detail has emerged from one of her longtime clients. The revelation centers on a text exchange the morning of the attack, in which Ayers—known affectionately as “Gabby”—responded to a haircut appointment request with a message that has left friends, family, and the community questioning whether she had an ominous premonition of the violence to come.

Ayers, a dedicated hairstylist and mother to a 14-month-old daughter, was fatally shot in the passenger seat of a white Chevy sedan 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 before fleeing in a red vehicle. Ayers’ boyfriend, 27-year-old Devin Draper, who was driving, sustained non-life-threatening wounds to his arm and lower body and was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was later reported in good condition. Miraculously, the couple’s toddler daughter remained unharmed in her car seat in the back, despite the hail of bullets that riddled the car and caused it to crash into a nearby van.

The victim’s godfather, Kirk Bell, confirmed Ayers’ identity and described her as a loving, hardworking young woman who balanced her career in hair styling with aspirations to become a postal carrier. Family members and community leaders, including those at St. Sabina Parish, have held vigils calling for an end to gun violence, with Mayor Brandon Johnson attending one gathering to emphasize the toll such incidents take on the city’s soul. A $10,000 reward remains in place for information leading to arrests, but Chicago Police have released no motive or suspect details beyond the description of the three male shooters.

Now, a close client of Ayers—who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons—has come forward with a previously withheld text conversation from the morning of February 4. The client had booked an early haircut appointment at Ayers’ salon, eager for her signature precision cuts and warm personality. “She was the most dedicated and passionate stylist I’ve ever met,” the client told local reporters in an interview published February 12. “Her chair was always booked, and she treated every client like family. That morning, I messaged to confirm, and she replied with something that completely shocked me.”

According to the client, Ayers’ response was uncharacteristically brief and unsettling: “Can’t today. Something doesn’t feel right. Maybe tomorrow.” The message came shortly after 8 a.m., hours before the midday shooting. The client initially dismissed it as a simple cancellation, perhaps due to illness or a family issue, and thought little of it until news of the tragedy broke. “Looking back, it chills me,” the client said. “Gabby was always so upbeat and reliable. She never canceled last-minute without a cheerful explanation or reschedule. This felt… off. Like she knew something was coming.”

The client kept the exchange private for a week, fearing it might complicate the ongoing investigation or draw unwanted attention. “I was scared,” they admitted. “With no arrests yet and the shooters still out there, I didn’t want to become a target or say something that could be misinterpreted. But now, seeing the pain in her family’s eyes and the community’s calls for answers, it’s time for everything to come to light. If this detail helps even a little—helps someone remember a detail or come forward—then Gabby would want that.”

The disclosure has sparked speculation across social media and local news forums. Some community members interpret the message as evidence that Ayers may have received a warning or sensed impending danger, possibly tied to her boyfriend’s associations or an unrelated dispute. Others view it as a heartbreaking coincidence, a mother’s intuition or simple fatigue amplified by hindsight. No evidence has surfaced publicly to suggest Ayers was directly threatened prior to the attack, and police have not commented on the text exchange or indicated whether they were aware of it.

Ayers’ family has not yet publicly addressed the client’s revelation, focusing instead on mourning and caring for the orphaned child, now in the custody of relatives. At the February 6 vigil near the shooting site, speakers highlighted Ayers’ bright spirit and the miracle of her daughter’s survival amid the barrage. “Over 50 shots, and that baby didn’t get touched,” one attendee remarked. “It’s God’s protection in the middle of hell.”

The client’s decision to share the message underscores the ripple effects of gun violence in Chicago, where even routine daily interactions can take on sinister meaning in retrospect. Hairstylists, barbers, and salon workers often form deep bonds with clients, serving as confidants and community anchors. Ayers’ loss has left a void not only in her family but among those who trusted her with their appearance and, often, their stories.

As the investigation continues, this new account adds another layer to a case that has gripped the city. Detectives are still canvassing for surveillance footage and witness statements from the busy intersection. The client’s text serves as a poignant reminder of the final hours of a young woman’s life—one filled with the everyday routines of motherhood, work, and friendship, abruptly shattered by senseless gunfire.

Whether the message proves pivotal or remains a tragic footnote, it has reignited conversations about safety, intuition, and the unpredictable nature of violence in urban neighborhoods. For now, the Auburn Gresham community continues to grieve, holding on to memories of Gabryel Ayers’ passion, dedication, and the quiet warning she may have sent into the morning air—one that, in retrospect, feels eerily prophetic.