Oak Park woman fatally shot was OPRF student, activist

Oak Park police have launched an investigation into the death of a woman who was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound in the parking lot of the BP gas station at 100 Chicago Ave. at 1:45 am on June 22.

The victim is 18-year-old Jailyn Logan-Bledsoe of the 100 block of North Austin Boulevard in Oak Park, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, which listed the official cause of death as a gunshot wound to the neck.

Oak Park police located Logan-Bledsoe early June 22 while responding to a call that gunshots had been fired in the area. She was transported to Loyola University Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

A witness reportedly told police two men approached Logan-Bledsoe from behind, fired one shot, took items from her and then fled in her dark Chrysler vehicle, according to a news release.

Logan-Bledsoe was a student at Oak Park and River Forest High School and part of the Class of 2022. She was also a former member of the student-led organization Revolutionary Oak Park Youth Action League (ROYAL).

Attendees along with Oak Park village president Vicki Scaman begin a prayer circle on Saturday, June 25, during a gun violence rally outside the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. | Alex RogalsPhoto by Lourdes NichollsGuests participate in a prayer circle on Saturday, June 25, during a gun violence rally outside the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. | Alex RogalsAttendees talk on Saturday, June 25, 2022, during a gun violence rally outside the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. | Alex RogalsAttendees block off entrances to the gas station in protest on Saturday, June 25, during a gun violence rally outside the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. | Alex RogalsAttendees gather on Saturday, June 25, during a gun violence rally outside the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. | Alex RogalsAttendees participate in a prayer circle on Saturday, June 25, during a gun violence rally outside the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. | Alex RogalsAttendees block the entrances to the gas station in protest on Saturday, June 25, during a gun violence rally outside the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. | Alex Rogals

ROYAL posted a brief tribute about Logan-Bledsoe on Facebook, calling her a “fierce and brilliant young leader” who cared about her community. Cynthia Brito, an OPRF parent who oversees ROYAL and knew Logan-Bledsoe, said the young woman was courageous, confident, bold and unafraid to speak her mind.

Activism aside, Logan-Bledsoe was also a dog lover, a writer and like most teens, enjoyed hanging out with friends, Brito said.

“She unconditionally loved her friends, and they loved her back. They could count on her, so it’s a huge loss for them,” Brito added.

Anthony Clark, a special education teacher at OPRF and community activist, said he knew Logan-Bledsoe as a student and described her as charismatic — someone who had an “exuberant, uplifting” spirit. Clark said Logan-Bledsoe had an irrepressible sense of humor, often keeping the jokes rolling whenever they interacted.

High School District 200 released a statement encouraging staff and students who may be in distress to reach out to the school’s grief support team. Those interested should contact counselor Joe Herbst at [email protected].

“Please keep Jailyn’s family in your thoughts during this difficult time,” the district said.

The West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force is assisting the Oak Park Police Department in the investigation. Anyone with information related to the shooting should contact the police department at 708-386-3800. Those interested in providing information anonymously can do so through the village of Oak Park website at oak-park.us/crimetip or calling 708-434-1636.

Education reporter F. Amanda Tugade contributed to this report.