7-year-old girl killed, child injured in Chicago shooting

A seven-year-old girl was killed and seven people, including two children, were injured Saturday night in a shooting on Chicago’s South Side that police believe is linked to gang-related violence on the city’s South Side.

The girl was shot in the head and died, and a one-year-old boy and a seven-year-old boy were each shot multiple times and were in critical condition, Chicago Police Deputy Chief Don Jerome said at a news conference. The scene on a block of 52nd Street near Damen Avenue.

Jerome said police received a call of shots fired around 9 p.m. and used tourniquets and chest seals on the victims, who also included adults between 19 and 40 years old.

The victim was outside at a house party when the shooting occurred and was taken to an area hospital by the Chicago Fire Department.

Jerome said the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, but witness accounts describe two possible gunmen on foot.

“This was not a random act of violence. This could have been gang related,” Jerome said.

“Whatever the motive for this incident, three innocent children were attacked tonight, one of whom tragically died from his injuries. There is no doubt that the behavior of the criminals was horrific and unacceptable in our city.”