Shooting wounds multiple people, including two children, outside Chicago baby shower

Possible gang-related gunfire rang out on a street where at least 20 children were playing in broad daylight. But police say they have no suspects and no cooperation from witnesses

Kia Morgan-Smith

Apr 8, 2019

A shooting outside of a Chicago baby shower that police believe was gang-related wounded six people, including two children, ABC News reports. Authorities believe they know the reason for the gunplay.

“We suspect this could have been a possible retaliatory shooting from an earlier incident that stemmed from an ongoing gang conflict in that neighborhood,” said Anthony Guglielmi, Chicago Police chief spokesman.

In the shooting on the city’s west side, a 10-year-old girl was struck in the chin and an 8-year-old boy was hit in the chest and back. There are no suspects in custody yet, police say.

“Our prayers are with the two young children that were injured yesterday,” Guglielmi said in an email to ABC News. They are both in critical but stable condition in a local hospital, he said.

The other victims ages ranged from 23 to 42 years old. Three of the victims are reportedly stable, but a one 29-year-old woman who shot in the chest and shoulder was in critical condition, police said.

The incident took place midday on a residential street in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, which has long been plagued with gun violence and gang conflicts. As many as 20 children were playing in front of the home where the baby shower was taking place, but they all rushed into the house when the gunfire began..

“They don’t care about themselves so they don’t care about the next person,” resident Tabitha Kellum told the Chicago Tribune. “I grew up in the streets of Chicago, so I already know how it goes. … It’s sickening. Kids can’t even hang out on their block and ride their bikes because (people) want to ride up and shoot randomly.”

Guglielmi vowed that police would be working “around the clock” to apprehend the suspects, but right now, witnesses are not cooperating, he said.

“Cooperation has been very limited with detectives,” he said.