A 7-year-old girl tragically lost her life, and seven others, including two young children, sustained injuries during a shooting incident at a family gathering in Chicago on Saturday night, as reported by the police. Chicago police stated that the girl was fatally shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. Deputy Chief Don Jerome stated at a press briefing that a 1-year-old boy and a 7-year-old boy were both shot multiple times and are in critical condition.
Additionally, five adults aged between 19 and 40 sustained injuries, although their current conditions remain unclear. All victims were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Deputy Chief Jerome emphasized, “This was not a random act of violence. It was likely gang-related. Irrespective of the motives behind this incident, three innocent children were harmed tonight, and tragically, one of them succumbed to her injuries.
Officers who responded to the scene administered life-saving measures to the shooting victims, including applying tourniquets and chest seals, according to Jerome, who described the incident as “tragic.” As of early Sunday, any suspects in the shooting police have not disclosed, and no arrests have been made.
Witnesses recounted seeing two shooters on foot at the location, Jerome stated. While police did not provide further details about the shooters, the deputy chief condemned their actions as “horrific and unacceptable in our city.” Jerome confirmed that detectives are actively investigating the scene, emphasizing that the investigation is in its early stages and ongoing. Police urged anyone to come forward with information.
Firearms have become the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in the United States, surpassing motor vehicle accidents, which held that position until 2020. According to federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gun-related deaths among children and teenagers in the United States increased by 50 percent from 2019 to 2021.