CHICAGO, IL – A mass shooting in Chicago’s Southwest Side on Saturday evening ended with a young girl dead and ten others, including three children, injured. The horrific incident took place in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, according to law enforcement.
The police responded around 9:30 p.m. to West 52nd Street and South Damen Avenue after an automated gunshot detection system accounted for approximately 18 shots. Deputy Chief Don Jerome of the Chicago Police Department said that upon arrival, multiple victims were found, and officers began life-saving actions immediately.
Authoritative reports on the incident reveal that all victims were outdoors attending a family gathering when they were shot. Among the victims, a 1-year-old boy was critically injured after being shot multiple times. A 7-year-old girl, killed by a gunshot wound to her head, was the youngest fatality. Another 7-year-old boy was left in critical condition after being shot multiple times.
Jerome condemned the shooting, revealing that three of the victims were innocent children. Five adults aged between 19 and 40 also sustained injuries during the shooting, but their conditions remain unknown.
The police maintain that the shooting was a result of gang violence and not a random act. Eyewitness accounts describe two gunmen fleeing the crime scene post-fire. Jerome appeals to anyone with information about the incident to report to the Chicago police.