Last week, Dwyane Wade lost a cousin in a senseless act of violence in Chicago. It’s not the first time Wade has had to deal with violence in his hometown, and one person didn’t make this easy to deal with.
Whether he wanted it to happen or not, Wade’s innocent being shot and killed became apart of the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, as Donald Trump immediately went on Twitter to make a point about why black people should vote for him.
Dwyane Wade's cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2016
Let’s just say Wade wasn’t totally thrilled about Trump’s response, calling himself “conflicted.”
Dwyane Wade 'conflicted' over controversial Trump tweet, doesn't want cousin's death used for 'political gain.' pic.twitter.com/AtMijTQerc
— ABC News (@ABC) September 2, 2016
“I was kind of conflicted,” Wade told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “You know, it’s like, on one hand, your cousin’s death is used as a ploy for political gain. On the other hand, it’s a national story. It goes back to that for me. I want eyes on this city. I want us to be able to do more together. And the only way we can do more together is if more people know what’s going on.”
“On the one hand I was grateful that it started a conversation but on the other hand, it just left a bad taste in my mouth because of what my family is dealing with and what our city of Chicago is dealing with,” Wade said. “And it looks like it’s being used as a political gain.”
The incident occurred on Chicago’s South Side. Wade’s cousin, Nykea Aldridge, was hit in the head by a stray bullet while pushing her child in a stroller.
After the shooting, the Chicago Bulls’ star sent out the following tweet.
My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016
The murder is part of the larger issue of Chicago’s violence in 2016. This past August was Chicago’s deadliest month in 20 years with 90 homicides. Overall in 2016, Chicago has already passed its 2015 murder total and there’s still just under four months left in the year.