A 21-year-old man, Anthony Nunnally, faces serious charges related to the deaths of two teenage girls in Chicago. Nunnally has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder, stemming from the tragic cases of Gabriella Arellano, 17, and Sierra Evans, 19. The disturbing allegations come as details of the incidents emerge from court proceedings and police investigations.
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During a court appearance on Wednesday, August 5, prosecutors outlined their case, alleging that Nunnally shot Arellano in an East Side alley on October 26, 2025, after suspecting that she might betray him to a rival gang. This incident reportedly occurred almost a year after the death of Evans, who was shot on September 28, 2024.
Nunnally, who had connections to gangs and was romantically involved with both victims, was described in court as having exhibited violent behaviour. According to the prosecution, he became confrontational and aggressive when an argument broke out among a group of friends over marijuana. During this altercation, Nunnally allegedly struck the wall in anger and choked Evans when she did not support him.
Witnesses reported that after leaving the scene, Nunnally returned, and gunfire was heard shortly thereafter. The following morning, Evans’s body was discovered by a neighbour, with multiple gunshot wounds. The case took a darker turn when, several months later, Nunnally allegedly threatened his new girlfriend by referencing Evans’s death. He reportedly showed her news coverage of a memorial for Evans and ominously suggested that she could face a similar fate.
Furthermore, evidence against Nunnally has reportedly come from conversations he had with a fellow inmate in Cook County Jail, which were recorded. He allegedly confessed to the murder of Arellano during these interactions, claiming that he killed her because she was contemplating betraying him. Surveillance footage also places Nunnally, Arellano, and another individual at a restaurant prior to the incident, and it reportedly shows them returning to a location before shots were fired.
The emerging details indicate a significant level of premeditation, with prosecutors asserting that Nunnally was the last person seen with both girls before their tragic deaths. Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara stated emphatically in court that Nunnally demonstrated no remorse, labelling him a “stone-cold killer.”
Currently, Nunnally is being held in Cook County Jail on the murder charges, having already been detained on an unrelated charge of carjacking. A judge has ordered him to remain in custody until his trial, which is poised to continue with a court appearance scheduled for August 26.
As Chicago grapples with concerns over gang violence and its impact on the community, these cases illustrate the continuing challenges faced by law enforcement and the justice system in addressing such tragic incidents. The deaths of Arellano and Evans highlight not only the personal tragedies stemming from violence but also the broader societal issues that contribute to it.
The Cook County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has yet to release further information regarding the case, as it remains under investigation. The community nearby has expressed its sorrow and concern over the events, calling for greater efforts to curb gang-related violence and protect vulnerable individuals.
In light of ongoing developments, many await the next steps of the judicial process and the potentially wider implications of the outcomes of these trials. As details continue to unfold, both the families of the victims and the residents of Chicago hope for justice and a deeper understanding of the circumstances that led to these tragic losses.