Chicago, Illinois – Gang-related violence is believed to be the cause of a tragic shooting that resulted in the death of an 8-year-old girl and left 10 others injured in the city’s South Side on Saturday night.
The incident occurred near 52nd St. and South Damen Ave. around 9:18 p.m. The young girl lost her life to a gunshot wound to the head, while two young boys, aged 1 and 7, sustained critical injuries from being shot multiple times.
Deputy Police Chief Don Jerome stated that police assisted in caring for the other eight victims, aged between 19 and 40, by administering tourniquets and chest seals at the scene.
According to a statement from the Chicago Police Department, the victims were gathered outside at a family event when a witness observed a black sedan arriving at the scene and opening fire on the crowd. The injured individuals were transported to nearby hospitals by the Chicago Fire Department.
Jerome emphasized that the shooting was not random and likely had ties to gang activity. He condemned the actions of the perpetrators as “horrific and unacceptable” in the city, especially considering that innocent children were among those harmed.
As the investigation led by Area One detectives continues, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. The community is left grieving over the loss of the young girl and hoping for the recovery of those injured in the tragic incident.