In an unfortunate incident that took place on a Saturday evening, a family gathering in a Chicago neighborhood was ruthlessly disrupted by a hail of bullets. The gunfire, which police authorities believe is likely associated with gang activity, claimed the life of a seven-year-old girl and left seven others – both adults and children – severely wounded.
The Chicago Police Department, led by Deputy Chief Don Jerome, rushed to the scene of the crime upon receiving an alert of 18 rounds being discharged in the 2000 block of 52nd Street, west of Damen Avenue, around 9:30 p.m.
According to local reports from FOX 32 Chicago, the alert directed the officers to the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Upon their arrival, the officers discovered multiple gunshot victims in the vicinity.
Jerome confirmed that immediate life-saving measures were undertaken, including the application of tourniquets and chest seals. This quote from a related news story underscores the unpredictable and dangerous nature of such situations.
Among the victims were three children and five adults. The child who tragically lost her life was a seven-year-old girl who suffered a fatal head wound. Two other children, a one-year-old boy and a seven-year-old boy, were also shot multiple times and were transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The adult victims, ranging from 19 to 40 years old, were all taken to local hospitals by the Chicago Fire Department. The details of their condition remain undisclosed.
The victims were all part of a family gathering and were standing outside at the time of the shooting. This quote from another news report further illustrates the frequency and severity of gun violence in the city.
The Chicago police department, in their initial announcement, stated that the shooting was “not a random act of violence” and was “likely gang-related.”
Don Jerome expressed his despair over the incident, stating, “Regardless of the motivation for this incident, three innocent children were struck tonight and one of them tragically succumbed to her wounds.”
At the time of the report, no suspects were in custody. However, witnesses suggested there might have been two shooters who were both on foot. The police are currently seeking tips from the public to aid in their investigation.
