Mother of 7 killed in crossfire over shoes after basketball game, killer still at large

DETROIT (FOX 2) - A killer is still at large after a mother of seven was killed in the crossfire after an argument over a basketball game for a pair of shoes.

"We love Frankie so much. She meant the world to us. Our life is torn apart -- it's ripped apart," said her sister, Bianca Jackson.

Francesca Marks, a 30-year-old mother of seven lovingly known as Frankie, was killed at Detroit's Rouge Park near Plymouth and Burt on August 5.

"Shooting at a park is ridiculous. My daughter losing her life is ridiculous," said Sherri Scott.

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Crime Stoppers of Michigan is trying to help Frankie's family get answers, offering a $2,500 reward to find her killer.

"Anyone that was out there doing that foolishness has to be thinking about what they did," Scott said.

Frankie was barbecuing with her kids, nieces and nephews while celebrating her twin sister's boyfriend's family reunion. Suddenly, there was gunfire after a man lost the basketball game. A bullet hit Frankie. Her last words: "Sis, I think I've been shot."  Frankie fell to the ground, later dying.

"We can't keep covering up for everybody, cause this is wrong," Scott said.

Frankie's young children witnessed all of it. FOX 2 spoke previously with Frankie's 10-year-old daughter, Khia.

"It's hard. She was trying to save her kids. She was trying to get the baby and run," Khia Lowery said.

"If you don't know what it's like to be without a mom just try to put yourself in those kids' place. She has a 6 year old that wakes up every day, looking in the sky for her mama to come back," Scott said.

Called an angel on earth and a superwoman, Frankie was always helping others and keeping the family together.

"Y'all took the lifeline of our family," Jackson said.

Now the family Frankie left behind is praying for someone to give them some peace.

"Just turn yourself in. Anybody that knows something, contact the police. This family needs closure. We need to know what happened," Scott said.

Anyone with information, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. You will remain anonymous.