CHARLOTTE TIDWELL, Kia’s mom, speaks at the podium. At right is her father James Tidwell and aunt LaSonnye McNeil. In the wake of a tragic and senseless act of violence, city leaders are pleading with the community to step forward with any information that may lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the death of Kia Tidwell, a 42-year-old mother of six. Tidwell was fatally shot on Friday, September 6, while driving near a McDonald’s on 5th Avenue in Gary. Her car crashed into a tree following the incident, leaving her family devastated and the city shaken.