An Illinois girl is in critical condition after being shot early Thursday morning while at a Christmas gathering with family members.
CBS Chicago reports that the incident happened at a home off of 3500 block of South Washtenaw in Brighton Park. A little before 2 a.m., first responders arrived at the residence after someone called about a 7-year-old girl who was shot in the stomach.
According to police, the girl was with her family inside the home when someone outside on a sidewalk fired shots. Authorities said the intended target was a 38-year-old male who was standing outside close to the residence. He was shot in the leg during the ordeal.
First responders rushed the girl to an area hospital where she has reportedly been listed in critical condition.
According to community activist Andrew Holmes, the little girl is from Hanover Park but came to Brighton Park to visit family for the holidays.
“The family was sitting around the table just enjoying Christmas and catching up with each other,” Holmes said, according to FOX 32. “Then the bullet went through the window, went through a couch and hit her while she was playing with her cousins.
“The children are trying to understand what happened. Those kids are going through a lot of pain right now. The family’s totally upset and totally in shock. They’re trying to just stay together.”
At this time, no suspects have been named and no one is in custody. The child’s identity has not been released publicly as of Thursday morning.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Pixabay]
