An investigation is underway in Chicago after a shooting at a family gathering Saturday evening left a 7-year-old dead and seven other adults and children injured.
Chicago Police Deputy Chief Don Jerome said officers responded to a gunfire alert in which 18 shots were fired in the 2000 block of 52nd Street, west of Damen Avenue, around 9:30 p.m. .
According to FOX 32 Chicago, the alert directed officers to an area in the Back of the Yards area.
When officers arrived on the scene, they found multiple people shot on the block, Jerome said, adding that life-saving measures, including tourniquets and chest seals, were immediately administered.
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One child was killed and seven other children and adults were injured in a shooting at a family gathering in Chicago that police said was “likely gang-related.” (FOX 32 Chicago)
Jerome said a total of eight people were shot, including three children and five adults.
A 7-year-old girl who was shot in the head was pronounced dead, and a 1-year-old boy and a 7-year-old boy were shot multiple times and taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The adult victims ranged in age from 19 to 40, and all were transported to area hospitals by the Chicago Fire Department. Their terms were not immediately available.
Jerome said there was a family gathering during the shooting, and all eight victims were standing outside.
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Chicago police said the shooting was “not a random act of violence” and “likely to be gang-related.”
“Regardless of the motive behind this incident, tonight three innocent children were struck and one tragically succumbed to his injuries,” Jerome said.
Chicago Police Deputy Chief Don Jerome said eight people, three children and five adults, were shot and killed Saturday night. One of the children was confirmed dead. (Chicago Police Department/Facebook)
He also thanked Chicago FD for providing “tremendous” assistance to officers at the scene, which he called “horrifying” and “unacceptable.”
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No suspects were in custody as of early Sunday morning, but witnesses told police they believed there were two gunmen, both on foot.
Information regarding the shooting or the suspect may be reported to CPD Area 1 Detectives or the caller’s local police department.
