Mother of slain 9-year-old denies using GoFundMe donations to buy new car

After the shooting, hundreds of people donated to a GoFundMe page that a friend created for the boy's mother, Karla Lee, called "Help me lay my baby to rest." So far, it has raised more than $17,000.

WLS reports that Lee denied the accusations, saying she bought the 2015 Chrysler 200 with money she had saved. She said she needed the car because she was afraid she'd be targeted while walking around the neighborhood or traveling by bus.

"I work right in the area around where the conflict between these two gangs," she said, according to WFLD. "I work right over there, so what y'all want – me to be walking, and then they see me and they kill me, too?" 

A $54,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can provide tips leading to an arrest, WLS reports.