Ferguson, Missouri — A simple stop for slushies with her children turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a Missouri mother of five was fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting at a Ferguson gas station, leaving her family grieving and five young children without their mother.
According to police and family members, 35-year-old Shakeela Martin was killed on the evening of June 28 after gunfire erupted between two groups of men outside a BP gas station. Martin had been at the store with her children to buy frozen drinks as the family prepared to move into their new home the following day.
Instead of celebrating a fresh start, her loved ones are now mourning a devastating loss.
Family Says Exciting New Chapter Ended in Heartbreak
Relatives said Martin had been looking forward to moving her family into a new home and wanted to make the evening special for her children by stopping for slushies.
An online fundraiser created by her cousin, Whittley Anderson, described Martin as a devoted mother whose children meant everything to her.
“What should have been a joyful family moment became an unimaginable tragedy,” Anderson wrote.
“Shakeela was a devoted mother to five beautiful children who were at the center of her world. She was full of love, strength, and hope for the future.”
Family members said Martin leaves behind five children, ages 3, 4, 9, 11, and 15, who were present during the horrific incident.
Gunfire Erupted at Gas Station, Police Say
According to witnesses, several men arrived at the BP gas station and opened fire toward another group before fleeing the area.
A female friend who was with Martin told local media she heard at least 10 gunshots before realizing Martin had been struck.
Police said Martin was hit in the head during the exchange of gunfire. She died at the scene in front of her children.
Authorities also confirmed that another innocent bystander, a male customer, was struck by gunfire and remains in critical condition.
Investigators continue working to identify those responsible for the shooting.
Loved Ones Struggle to Process the Tragedy
Martin’s family says the loss has been especially heartbreaking because she was simply running an everyday errand with her children.
“It was just senseless. It’s so surreal,” Anderson said.
“How can a woman go to the store, get slushies for her kids and end up dying?”
She added that the emotional scars left on Martin’s children will last a lifetime.
“These kids now have to live with this until they’re old and it will never go away. It will never leave our family.”
Martin’s 8-year-old niece also shared emotional memories of her aunt, describing her as someone who was always caring and generous.
“She was pretty” and “kind” who gave her “lots of treats.”
The young girl added:
“I cried because I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye and I didn’t know that she was gonna die.”
Community Mourns a Devoted Mother
As loved ones continue grieving, they are remembering Martin not for the tragedy that claimed her life but for the love she gave her family every day.
Anderson described her cousin as a woman who always put her children first and whose absence will be deeply felt by everyone who knew her.
“She was just a sweet mom, a sweet daughter and a wonderful sister.”
The investigation into the fatal shooting remains ongoing as police search for those involved. Meanwhile, Martin’s family is asking for support as they prepare to care for the five children she leaves behind while coping with an unimaginable loss.
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