Mail carrier Sharralle Williams tried to save 8-year-old Josiah Hooker killed in Grand Crossing, Chicago shooting: 'Traumatizing'

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago mail carriers navigate not only the elements, but sometimes elements of danger.

Last week, a mail carrier was called on to help an injured child, and she did not hesitate.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Tuesday marked five days since 8-year-old Josiah Hooker was killed inside a Grand Crossing home.

Memories of that day keep replaying for a Chicago mail carrier Sharralle Williams.

She was delivering mail across the street on Thursday when she saw a woman screaming for help.

“I dropped my stuff, and I ran to go help. When I got over there, I realized it was a baby,” Williams said.

Williams assisted a father in performing CPR on his son before paramedics arrived. She mentioned to ABC7 that she had received CPR training as a childcare provider.

She instructed the father, “You breathe for me. I’ll do the chest compressions. Let’s try to take care of this young man.” Williams expressed her shock at the situation, realizing the victim was a child.

Despite their efforts, the boy died at Comer Children’s Hospital.

“I just broke down crying some more, because I was hoping against – hope that he was going to make it,” Williams said.

Williams, who is a mother of two young children herself, says this has shaken her. She has not been back to work.

“This has been traumatizing,” Williams said. “I’m extremely sad. I have cried so much since this has happened.”

ABC7 has learned that Derrick Taylor is charged with endangering a child and illegal possession of a weapon.

During the court proceedings, prosecutors stated that Taylor was the only adult at home with his five sons and stepsons when the incident occurred. Allegedly, he left a gun on a dresser behind a TV while he and the boys were napping. Prosecutors claimed that one of the boys got hold of the gun.

Taylor claims he told authorities he woke up to the sound of gunfire and seeing his 8-year-old with what would be a deadly wound.

Williams has a son one year older than Hooker, and another son one year younger. And she now tells her boys, if they ever see a gun, do not touch it.

“I just grabbed my kids so fast and just held them and cried, and saying, ‘Mommy, what’s wrong?'” Williams said. “We should not be burying our children… Keep that family in your prayers. I’m going to keep that family in my prayers as well.”

Williams says she wants to go back to work eventually. But for now, she says she is getting support, as she cannot sleep without seeing that scene. She told ABC7 that she misses her customers.

Williams also shared that she was inspired to be a mail carrier when she was a child by her neighborhood mail carrier, and she hopes to inspire others to be of service in their communities whenever possible.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Amanda Knox's advice for American linked to Punta Cana missing persons case

“Amanda Knox Shares Insights on American Involved in Punta Cana Missing Persons Case”

Amanda Knox knows exactly what Joshua Riibe is feeling right now. The…
Texas storm leaves 3 dead after massive flood sees abandoned vehicles submerged in waters

Fatalities reported after Texas storm causes flooding and submerged vehicles

Three people are dead after severe storms swept through Texas, leaving behind…
Israel strikes Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war

First Israeli attack on Beirut since the recent Israel-Hezbollah war ceasefire

Israel on Friday launched an attack on Lebanon’s capital for the first…
Babysitter stabs 3-year-old girl to death in Las Vegas: police

Police say a babysitter in Las Vegas stabbed a 3-year-old girl to death

A babysitter has been arrested for allegedly stabbing to death the 3-year-old…
Will County Sheriff's Office employee Daniel T. Herod arrested by Homeland Security, facing local child sex assault charges

Homeland Security arrests Will County Sheriff’s Office worker Daniel T. Herod on charges related to child sex assault in the area

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — An employee from the Will County Sheriff’s Office…
Feel-Good Friday: Hero Firefighters Save the Lives of Dogs in More Ways Than One

Happy Friday: Brave Firefighters Rescue Dogs in Multiple Ways

What sets first responders apart is their unique combination of fearlessness and…
Texas police suicides: Deputy Christina Kohler among 4 current, former Harris County Sheriff's Office deputies who took own lives

Addressing Police Mental Health: Deputy Christina Kohler and 3 Other Harris County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Lost to Suicide

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Deputy Christina Kohler, a long-time member of the…
ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott wins prestigious Gracie Award for excellence in journalism.

Rachel Scott, a correspondent for ABC News, is honored with the esteemed Gracie Award for outstanding achievement in the field of journalism.

LOS ANGELES — The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has announced…
Usha Vance suffers fresh humiliation in Greenland after US officials knocking door to door get embarrassing response

Embarrassing Response Received by US Officials as Usha Vance Faces Humiliation in Greenland

The planned trip of Second Lady Usha Vance to Greenland has further…
Hoda Kotb Still Gives Jenna Bush Hager “Feedback” On ‘Today’ Months After Her Exit: “She Definitely Has Opinions”

Hoda Kotb Continues to Offer Jenna Bush Hager “Feedback” on ‘Today’ despite Departure: “Her Opinions Still Present”

It’s been almost three months since Hoda Kotb handed over the reins…
An individual wearing a green jacket and a green snow hat can be seen carving into a Tesla Cybertruck.

Video captures vandals defacing Tesla Cybertruck with ‘Nazis’ and swastika, says NYPD

The New York Police Department Hate Crime Task Force is investigating after…
Executive Krystal Roberts driving change in auto industry at Advantage Chevrolet in Hodgkins

Krystal Roberts at Advantage Chevrolet in Hodgkins Leading Change in the Auto Industry

HODGKINS, Ill. (WLS) — We continue to celebrate Women’s History Month by…