Gang violence on Chicago’s South Side leaves eight-year-old girl dead and 10 others injured, including an infant
An eight-year-old girl was killed in a shooting on Chicago’s South Side that left 10 others injured, including an infant.
Chicago police officers responded to the violent incident around 9:15 p.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of West 52nd Street in Back of the Yards, a neighborhood in Chicago.
According to police, a family had gathered for a birthday party when gunmen opened fire with assault rifles and handguns.
An eight-year-old girl died after she was shot in the head, while a one-year-old boy and an eight-year-old boy were each shot multiple times and listed in critical condition.
A nine-year-old boy was also injured with a cut on his finger. He was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition, police said.
“This was not a random act of violence. It was probably gang related,’ said Deputy Chief Don Jerome. “The actions of the criminals, make no mistake, are appalling and unacceptable in our city.”
Chicago police officers responded to the violent incident around 9:15 p.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of West 52nd Street in Back of the Yards Saturday around 21.15
An eight-year-old girl was killed and 10 others were injured. A one-year-old boy and an eight-year-old boy were each shot multiple times and listed in critical condition
Police said at least seven others, ranging in age from 19 to 38, were also injured in the shooting
As of Sunday, the little girl has not yet been identified, and police are looking for two suspects. No one was arrested.
Police said at least seven others, ranging in age from 19 to 38, were also injured in the shooting.
One of the victims, a 36-year-old man, was shot in the arms and back and was listed in critical condition.
“The Back of the Yards community is united in our grief, prayers and collective thought that we must continue to stand firm against these senseless acts of physical force,” said Councilwoman Stephanie Coleman of the 16th Ward, where the shooting occurred.
‘Violence is a city-wide problem that continues to mischaracterize the true essence and inherent character of our neighborhoods. This tragedy has left us all heartbroken and saddened.’
“I want to send my deepest condolences to the family of this precious jewel and my prayers to every person who has been hurt,” Coleman added.
Police said witnesses saw a black sedan approaching at the time of the shooting and that someone fired shots into the crowd before fleeing.
Pastor Donovan Price told WGN9: ‘All I can say at this time is, I will pray, you pray, and God help us.’
Department Deputy Chief Don Jerome (center) said Chicago police are investigating the shooting, which was ‘probably gang-related’
Police said witnesses saw a black sedan approaching at the time of the shooting and that someone fired shots into the crowd before fleeing
One of the victims, a 36-year-old man, was shot in the arms and back and was listed in critical condition
The shooting is being investigated by the Chicago Police Department, as Jerome said witness accounts described two possible shooters on foot.
According to statistics from Sun-TimesAt least 120 children under the age of 16 have been shot to death in Chicago since 2018.
In 2024, there have been 36 shooting incidents in the city, according to data from the Chicago Police Department. That rate has increased by three percent from 2023.
Chicago’s Democratic mayor, Brandon Johnson, has yet to comment on the shooting.
He previously issued a statement about Dexter Reed, 26, who was killed following a traffic stop in Humboldt Park after police pulled him over for allegedly not wearing a seat belt.
Johnson told a news conference that he was “devastated” to learn of another young black man killed by police, but stressed that he could have mourned the loss of another black life if the officer who was hit had been killed.
Heart-stopping bodycam footage showed the moment Reed ‘opened fire on police’ before police shot him more than 90 times.
Mayor Johnson promised a full investigation, adding that Tuesday’s release was part of an effort to be more transparent.
“Attempting to withhold or delay information is a mistake of the past,” he said at a news conference with COPA and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
‘As a mayor and as a father raising a family, including two black boys on the West Side of Chicago, I am personally devastated to see yet another young black man lose his life during an interaction with the police.’