Chicago, Illinois – A tragic incident unfolded on the South Side of Chicago Saturday night, as eleven individuals were shot outside a family gathering. Among the victims was a young girl who tragically lost her life in what authorities suspect to be gang-related violence.
According to the latest statement released by the Chicago Police Department on Sunday, the number of shooting victims has been updated from 8 to 11, with four of them being children. An 8-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries after being shot in the head, while a 1-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy are currently in critical condition after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Additionally, a 9-year-old boy sustained a graze wound to his finger and is receiving treatment in a hospital.
Deputy Chief Don Jerome of the Chicago Police Department revealed that the shooting occurred when shots were fired at a crowd outside a family gathering around 9 pm on Saturday. Jerome emphasized that the incident was not a random act of violence but likely gang-related, condemning the offenders’ actions as “horrific and unacceptable.”
In response to a gunfire alert, police officers swiftly applied tourniquets and chest seals to the victims, who ranged from children to adults between the ages of 19 and 40. One 36-year-old man is currently listed in critical condition after sustaining gunshot wounds to his arms and back, while the other adults are reported to be in good condition.
Although the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, eyewitnesses have provided crucial information to law enforcement. Witnesses reported seeing a black sedan approach the crowd, from which shots were fired before the perpetrators fled the scene. Additionally, witness accounts have described two possible shooters on foot, shedding light on the complexity of the situation.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward to assist in the investigation. The heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in combating gang-related violence in urban areas.