12-Year-Old Chicago Girl Allegedly Shot In The Head On Birthday, Child In Critical Condition

KEY POINTS

The girl was returning back from a birthday dinner when she was shot in a car
Suspects were targeting another car, but struck the child in the back of her head
The 12-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital in critical condition

A 12-year-old girl in Chicago was allegedly shot in the head as she was returning home from her birthday dinner by unidentified men firing at another vehicle.

The Chicago police said the child was fighting for her life, and had severe brain injuries.

The birthday girl was in the passenger seat of a car Tuesday when three men began firing at a different vehicle in a street in West Englewood.

A bullet then struck the unidentified child, who was in the car being driven by a female relative around 7.45 p.m. The child’s mother was also inside the car, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Another child has become the victim of senseless gun violence and it must stop. A 12-year-old girl celebrating her birthday was shot in the head last night in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood while driving with her family. She's in critical condition and is fighting for her life.
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) March 2, 2022

The police said the men were targeting a different car that sped northbound when they struck the child as the family’s vehicle passed by.

The girl was taken to the Holy Cross Hospital by her family, following which she was transferred to the Comers Children’s Hospital.

Community activist Andrew Holmes said the shooting has left the child’s family devastated.

“We need to seriously start turning these individuals in,” he said, according to WGN-TV. “If you have any video surveillance, any knowledge, license plates, anything, it doesn’t matter. This child is fighting for her life.”

Holmes said the “close knit family” is “totally upset, totally in shock," NBC Chicago reported. “...Very sad, very sad to have this happen on your birthday."

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said the police department was actively working to nab the suspects.

“This was heinous, reckless, senseless and the gangs involved — and you know who you are— we’re coming after you,” Brown said Wednesday during a City Hall news conference, according to NBC Chicago.

“We want to send a strong message to these violent offenders that this won’t be tolerated in the city of Chicago and that there will be a price to pay in the criminal justice system for you,” Brown continued. “So, the full brunt of every resource we have will bear down on the gang responsible for this. Officers will work around the clock. Our homicide detectives will be relentless in solving this crime.”

Brown urged the public to come forward if they have any information. He added people would receive a cash reward for any information that leads to charges or convictions in connection with the shooting.