‘An innocent bystander’: 4-year-old boy shot while riding in car in Humboldt Park

Alyssa Donovan
·2 min read
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CHICAGO — A four-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was shot while riding inside a car in Humboldt Park on Tuesday.

The little boy, who was rushed to the Stroger Hospital in critical condition, underwent surgery Tuesday night after suffering a gunshot wound to his back and through his abdomen.

Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) joined local violence prevention groups that sought to take action.

“An innocent bystander, a four-year-old boy, was caught in the crossfire,” Fuentes said.

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Fuentes joined violence prevention organizations in canvasing the neighborhood where a four-year-old boy was shot Tuesday evening.

“We want to be able to talk to business owners and residents and provide transparency on the nature of events,” Fuentes said.

According to police, the 4-year-old was riding in the backseat of a vehicle in the 3300 block of West North Avenue just before 4 p.m. when he was struck in the back by gunfire. The child’s grandmother shared off-camera with WGN News that she was taking her grandson to Dunkin’ Donuts for a treat when he was shot.

The 4-year-old remains hospitalized and is considered stable.

But the shooting in a long list of gunfire involving children sparked a reminder for change.

“It’s unbelievable we still have to suffer this kind of violence in our city,” said resident Maria Ugarte.

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“I don’t feel safe. I live in the neighborhood, but I don’t feel safe anywhere.”

Fuentes says the city is working on a plan for a safe summer in Chicago, including proper youth programming and street intervention to help deter violence. Fuentes encouraged anyone involved in the shooting to come forward and take responsibility.

Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

“We can’t keep utilizing violence as a way to solve problems,” Fuentes said. “So I beg the suspects to stand down (and) turn themselves in because that young boy deserves a long life.”

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