Trump Comment on Shooting Death of NBA Star's Cousin Draws Outrage

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is receiving criticism for his latest tweets following the fatal shooting of NBA star Dwyane Wade's cousin near a Chicago school where she intended to register her children.

From left: NBA star Dwyane Wade; Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (AP Photos/Wade by Todd Kirkland; Trump by Gerald Herbert)

"Dwyane Wade's cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago," Trump wrote Saturday. "Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!"

Dwyane Wade's cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2016

One person responded: "@realDonaldTrump Glad you're not making this about you. Whew!"

Some criticized his record with black voters, accusing him of trying to appeal to them too late. Here's what others had to say:

Image source: Twitter

Originally he had spelled Dwyane wrong and then deleted the incorrect version, replacing it with a new tweet — but using the same wording. Here's how he addressed that issue:

Apparently I thought everyone was DISGUSTED by what I said c I mispelled Dwyane's name. SAD! @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/N2AgNGB7cZ

— DonaId J. Trump (@realDenaldTrump) August 27, 2016

Trump has ramped up efforts to appeal to black and Hispanic voters in recent weeks as the polls show him slipping behind rival Hillary Clinton.

Trump later followed up with a second tweet sending the family his condolences:

My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family, on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2016

"My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family, on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts and prayers," he wrote.

The 32-year-old mother of four recently relocated to an area on the city's South Side, her family said. She was near the school, which is about a mile and a half southwest of the University of Chicago, when two males walked up and fired shots at a third man but hit Aldridge in the head and arm. She wasn't the intended target, police said.

Family members are caring for Aldridge's baby, who wasn't hurt.

Police said Saturday afternoon that two "people of interest" were being questioned by detectives but no one has been charged in the shooting.

Wade didn't address Trump's tweet on his Twitter feed, noting only the following:

My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal. #EnoughIsEnough

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016

RIP Nykea Aldridge... #EnoughIsEnough

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016

The city of Chicago is hurting. We need more help& more hands on deck. Not for me and my family but for the future of our world. The YOUTH!

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016

These young kids are screaming for help!!! #EnoughIsEnough

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 27, 2016

Wade, whose charitable organization, Wade's World Foundation, does community outreach in the Chicago area, signed with the Chicago Bulls in July after 13 years with the Miami Heat. He and his mother, pastor Jolinda Wade, participated Thursday via satellite in a town hall meeting in Chicago on gun violence hosted by ESPN.

Outside the emergency room where Aldridge was pronounced dead, Jolinda Wade clutched her sister and spoke for the family as mourners stood in a circle holding hands and praying. She said she'd participated in the town hall meeting "never knowing that the next day we would be the ones that would actually be living and experiencing it."

"We're still going to try to help and empower people like the one who senselessly shot my niece in the head," Jolinda Wade said. "We're going to try to help these people to transform their minds and give them a different direction."

It is not the first time Dwyane Wade's family in Chicago has been affected by gun violence. His nephew, Darin Johnson, was shot twice in the leg in 2012 but recovered.

Chicago had recorded 381 homicides by the end of July, up 30 percent from the same period of 2015. Its murder rate is higher than the more populous cities of New York and Los Angeles.

This story has been updated.