Toddler Shot In Drive-By Shooting; Activists Blast Gun Violence

A 2-year-old girl was the victim of a drive-by shooting Friday in the Little Village neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest Side, police said.

The toddler was traveling inside a vehicle in the 2800 block of West 26th Street when another car came up and fired shots at around 7 p.m., the Chicago Sun-Times reported, citing police statements.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. The car that was shot was being driven by a man at the time. It was not clear how many were in the other car.

The girl was immediately brought to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment after sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg. She was reportedly in good condition. The toddler was later transported to Stroger Hospital for further treatment.

Activists condemned the shooting and aired their frustration over the senseless shooting.

Andrew Holmes, an activist who works with families affected by gun violence, highlighted how this would affect the child as she grows up. He noted that she may live the rest of her life walking with a limp and needing medical checkups or counseling.

“This baby may come out with a limp or may not recover for this,” Holmes said. “[She might have] to see a doctor, a therapist, a specialist, a counselor for what? Because of your negligence?” he stressed.

Holmes was not the only one who spoke out on the case now being branded as “urban terrorism.”

Marvin Edwards, leader of the anti-violence group 100 Men Standing, also said it was urban terrorism and called for a stop on the use of guns.

“We are sick and tired of this stuff. Put the damn guns down. We living like this is going to be the new norm for Chicago. This stuff is not normal ... why do we have to be subjected to this type of living?” Edwards said.

As of this writing, the suspects behind the shooting remain at large. Area Four investigators are on the case, hoping to collar the assailants soon.