Charity basketball game at Marshall HS raises reward money for slain former player

Vehicle used in shooting found but killer remains at large

CHICAGO — The basketball court at John Marshall Metropolitan High School, where Dylana Rainey, affectionately known as “Dede,” once wowed crowds with her talent, was packed with alumni men and women competing in a benefit game.

Rainey’s mother Margo organized the event.

“I’m just so happy. I’m blown away that so many people have come out to participate to help us seek justice,” she said.

On July 24, Rainey pulled into the driveway of her mother’s Maywood home on the 700 block of S. 6^th Ave. when a gunman shot into her car. She was later pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center.

Police believe the person who killed the 22-year-old was driving a 2003 black Buick Regal with gray trim and tinted windows and windshield.

Dede’s family say they learned the car was found abandoned and burned. Friday’s game aims to raise money to catch the killer.

“There’s really no set amount. We just hope that whatever we can muster can help us find some kind of justice and peace,” Rainey’s brother Devonte said.

He told WGN News that it was strange being back in Marshall’s seat without his sister there, but said he felt her spirit.

“It’s that feeling that we know something’s missing, but we know that person is still here with us,” he said.

Despite the trying times, the family said they are grateful the Marshall family came together to show their love.

“Marshall really showed her how much basketball means to her, and doing this with the people we have here, her basketball family, her commando family, my mom’s commando family, it felt like the right fit and the right time,” he said.

Rainey’s mother also started a GoFundMe page dedicated to creating a scholarship fund for men and women affected by gun violence on her behalf and contributing to the reward funds raised at Friday’s charity basketball game.