CHICAGO, IL – A five-year-old girl was killed early Sunday morning in Chicago’s Near West Side amid a series of shootings in the area. Authorities stated that she was in a parked car on the 200 block of South Campbell Avenue when a group of individuals was fired upon by an unknown assailant.
The young girl has been identified as Reign Ware from Chicago. Despite being promptly taken to Stroger Hospital, Ware succumbed to the gunshot wound in her upper abdomen.
A 24-year-old man present during the shooting was also struck twice in his left thigh but is reported to be in good condition at Stroger Hospital.
The local community reacted with outrage and sorrow at the news, questioning the circumstances that led to a child being out at such late hours in a known dangerous area. An estimated 60 evidence markers lined the street where the shooting took place, attesting to the number of shots fired during the incident.
However, Reign Ware was not the only victim of gun violence this Memorial Day Weekend. Chicago Police data reveals at least 25 people were shot since Friday night, resulting in five fatalities, including Reign Ware.
These incidents continue a dangerous trend seen in previous years, with both 2021 and 2022 seeing significant violent incidents over the Memorial Day weekend. No immediate arrests have been made relating to Sunday’s shooting, and Area Detectives are currently investigating the circumstances. Information leading to an arrest in the case may earn the informant a $1,000 reward from a local community group.