This story is part of The Dallas Morning News’ homicide project focused on sharing the stories of all people killed in Dallas in 2024.
LANCASTER — Ask those gathered Wednesday outside of Lancaster High School: 17-year-old Ikea Imari Hood could turn even the dullest moment into a comedy fest.
Taquoya Lester, Hood’s mother, said her daughter was “full of life” — when she walked into a room, everything seemed to revolve around her. Even though she’s no longer physically here, Lester said, the crowd that came together in her memory proved her spirit was still alive.
Hood was fatally shot Sunday morning at her home in the 700 block of Grambling Drive, near Buford Drive, in southeast Oak Cliff. Hood gave birth to a baby girl, Ice’Lynn, three weeks before the slaying. She was one of at least six people murdered in Dallas in the first week of 2024.
“She left an impact on everybody,” Lester said. “She was a superstar.”
Friends and Lancaster High School alumni organized a balloon release Wednesday afternoon in honor of Hood, who was a student at the school and a member of its Tigerette drill team. More than 100 people showed up, several with donations, including diapers, baby wipes and onesies for Ice’Lynn. A GoFundMe with a goal of $30,000 was also created to support the family.
Iyania Richardson, one of the organizers, said Hood was relentless with her playful attitude, calling her friends funny nicknames and peppering Richardson with light-hearted jabs over text when she wasn’t able to do her hair.
“You were your authentic self, and no one was able to take that away from you,” she said, addressing Hood.
Hood’s focus in recent weeks was being a good mom for Ice’Lynn, but Richardson said she never lost her sense of ambition. She hoped to pursue a business management degree at Prairie View A&M University.
Hood was the “it girl,” added Ophelia Brown, a friend who described the Hood family as her second family.
“Ikea was our ray of light and the person who knew how to turn every moment into a comedy fest,” Brown said. “This wasn’t supposed to be this way.”
Hood’s family has said she was a victim of domestic violence. Trevon Darnell Wright, 17, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the shooting, and police wrote in an arrest-warrant affidavit that Wright was Hood’s on-again, off-again boyfriend for about two years.
Wright was booked into the Dallas County jail, where he faces a murder charge.
“What’s done in the dark will come to light,” said Jalaya Williams, Hood’s older sister. “We know God got our back and we just want justice served for Ikea.”
Loved ones said they hope Hood’s story will raise awareness about the dangers of domestic violence. They urged others experiencing similar abuse to confide in someone they trust and ask for help — before it’s too late.
“She did not deserve any of this, what happened to her,” said Kiah Green, a friend of Hood’s. “If you are in a situation that you know you cannot get out of, please, please talk to somebody — because Ikea didn’t get to talk to anybody.”
Williams said their advocacy is a way to “live through Ikea,” adding she doesn’t want another family to go through the agony hers has endured over the past few days.
“At the end of the day, it’s a better good coming from this,” Williams said. “Unfortunately, Ikea had to be the one to bring that to life, but through God and praying … we know that there’s a reason for this.”
As the memorial came to a close, the crowd released dozens of pink, white and silver balloons into a clear sky. On one, a classmate wrote “Forever 17,” and on another, “Love you for life and after.” As they rose out of sight, the crowd huddled in small groups and wept.
Richardson, a family friend for more than a decade, said Hood would’ve wanted them to party. Still in tears, she cranked up the volume on a speaker, and played one of Hood’s favorite songs: “Great Gatsby” by Rod Wave. Not missing a beat, they all started to dance.
When the sun began to set, Madison Kirby, another close friend, whipped out her phone to take a picture.
“The sky is pink,” Kirby shouted. “Pink — just for Ikea.”
