Gang violence on Chicago’s south side leaves eight-year-old girl dead and 10 others hurt, including an infant

An eight-year-old girl was killed in a shooting on Chicago’s south side that left 10 others hurt, including an infant.

Chicago police officers responded to the violent incident around 9.15pm Saturday in the 2000 block of West 52nd Street in Back of the Yards, a neighborhood in Chicago. 

According to police, a family was gathered for a birthday party when gunmen opened fire with assault rifles and handguns. 

An eight-year-old girl died after she was shot in the head, while a one-year-old boy and a eight-year-old boy were each shot multiple times and were listed in critical condition. 

A nine-year-old boy was also injured with a graze wound to his finger. He was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition, police said. 

‘This was not a random act of violence. It was likely gang-related,’ Department Deputy Chief Don Jerome said. ‘The offenders´ actions, make no mistake, are horrific and unacceptable in our city.’ 

As of Sunday, the little girl has not been identified and the police are looking for two suspects. Nobody was taken into custody. 

Police said that at least seven others, from the ages of 19 to 38, were also injured in the shooting. 

One of the victims, a 36-year-old man was shot in the arms and back and was listed in critical condition.

‘The Back of the Yards community is unified in our grief, prayers and collective mindset that we must continue to stand firm against these senseless acts of physical force,’  Alderman Stephanie Coleman of the 16th Ward, where the shooting took place, said. 

‘Violence is a citywide issue that continues to falsely characterize the true essence and intrinsic nature of our neighborhoods. This tragedy has left us all heartbroken and distressed.’ 

‘I want to send my heartfelt condolences to the family of this precious jewel and my prayers to every person injured,’ Coleman added. 

Police said that witnesses saw a black sedan approach at the time of the shooting and that someone fired shots into the crowd before fleeing.

Pastor Donovan Price told WGN9: ‘All I can say at this point is, I’m going to pray, you pray, and God help us.’ 

The shooting is being investigated by the Chicago Police Department as Jerome said that witness accounts described two possible shooters on foot.

According to statistics by the Sun-Times, at least 120 children under the age of 16 were shot to death in Chicago since 2018. 

In 2024, there have been 36 shooting incidents in the city, according to data from the Chicago Police Department. That rate is up three percent from 2023.