Chicago girl stabbed to death in fight on South Side

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Chicago police are looking for the person who stabbed a cheerleader to death Saturday night.

Police say DeKayla Dansberry, 16, was killed when a large group started to fight outside the Parkway Gardens apartment complex near 65th and South Martin Luther King Drive. Police told FOX 32 she was stabbed in the chest and rushed to a local hospital where she died of her injuries.

On Sunday afternoon, family and friends gathered just down the street at New Beginnings Church of Chicago to remember the teenager.

“It’s heartbreaking to see that we all have to gather around because she's gone,” said friend Yajaira Richardson. 

Those that knew her best say she was a good girl and great student at Johnson College Prep in Englewood. Dansberry was a track star and a cheerleader.

A prayer vigil and balloon release was held Sunday at New Beginnings, where she attended church and just a block south of where she lost her life.

Pastor Corey Brooks says her death could've easily been avoided.

“We live in this neighborhood and it's up to us to make our neighborhood better,” said Brooks. “It’s up to us to stop fighting and killing one another – it’s up to us to make it better.”

Community activists urged the young men and women in the crowd to take responsibility for their actions.

“Please to our young ladies who are out here, don't fight over words, don't fight over words, don't fight over a boy, your future is more important than a fight,” said community activist Lamon Reccord.

A growing memorial now stands where the teenager lost her life at the entrance to the apartment complex.

“She was just a good friend and she was always laughing, just made me smile,” said a friend.

Police took two people into custody Saturday night, but only for questioning. They were later released and no charges have been filed.