Shamone Duncan (Photo provided by the family of Shamone Duncan).
What was supposed to be a celebratory weekend at an island getaway for a Chicago-area woman turned into utter tragedy all because of a stray bullet.
Cook County Sheriff’s Deputy Shamone Duncan was killed on Saturday while vacationing in Turks and Caicos, according to authorities and her family. The 50-year-old grandmother was on the rooftop of Aziza Restaurant & Lounge in Providenciales when gunfire broke out around 10 p.m. local time.
Duncan’s only son, Shamon Payton, shared that his mother was there to celebrate her sister’s birthday. The festive atmosphere turned to chaos when an argument downstairs escalated into a shootout. “I lost a lot of people, and it just feels different with it being your mother, the person who birthed you,” Payton told ABC7. “You only get one mother, one father. I lost the one.”
Duncan and her two sisters were on the rooftop when the shots were fired. Payton said bystanders shouted for everyone to take cover. “People started yelling, telling people to get down,” he said. “Everybody got down, and my mom got up. And then, she got hit. Bystanders came and they tried to help.” Duncan was struck by a stray bullet and did not survive.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirmed that Duncan and another victim, 30-year-old Dario Stubbs, were killed. A third person, a 29-year-old man, was injured in the incident. Police stated there is no evidence suggesting the victims were targeted.
For Payton, the loss is deeply personal and overwhelming.
“It’s a lot on my family to be out there, to have to deal with something like that. To even fathom, one day, you wake up without your mom.”
Duncan was a 21-year veteran of the Cook County Department of Corrections and was assigned to Cermak Health Services at the time of her death. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement saying, “Our hearts are broken for the family.”
No arrests have been made. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is urging anyone with information to contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.
Duncan’s family issued the following statement to ABC 7 Chicago:
“It is with unimaginable sorrow that we, the family of Sheriff Shamone A. Duncan, announce her tragic passing on January 18th, 2025. While on the rooftop of Aziza Restaurant & Lounge in Turks and Caicos, celebrating her sister’s birthday, Shamone was tragically struck by a stray bullet during a senseless act of gun violence. She was only 50 years old.
Shamone was a proud native of Chicago, born and raised in the city she loved and served tirelessly. A shining example of excellence, she was a proud Eastern Star, exemplifying her deep commitment to faith, service, and community. Her 21 years of service as Cook County Sheriff were a testament to her unwavering dedication to justice and her passion for protecting others. She was a beacon of strength, compassion, and leadership, touching countless lives in her community and beyond.
Above all, Shamone was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She is survived by her loving son and her cherished granddaughter, who were the lights of her life. Her family was her greatest joy, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
As we grapple with this devastating loss, we ask for privacy and prayers during this challenging time. We hope that Shamone’s legacy of service, strength, and love will continue to inspire others to work for a better, safer world.
Details of her memorial service will be shared in the coming days. We thank everyone for their outpouring of support and condolences as we mourn the loss of an extraordinary woman, mother, and leader.
May Sheriff Shamone A. Duncan’s memory live on in our hearts forever.”
The sheriff’s office also issued this statement:
“Our hearts are broken for the family of Deputy Shamone Duncan who was killed on Jan. 18 while on vacation. She was a 20-year veteran of the Cook County Department of Corrections and was currently assigned to Cermak Health Services.
We are in contact with her family to provide any support they need during this difficult time and are supporting her colleagues as they process this terrible news.
We refer any questions regarding the investigation into Deputy Duncan’s death to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.”
ABC 7 Chicago contributed to this report.
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