Doctors are describing 3-month-old Jeremiah, who was shot in the chest last Saturday, as a "miracle baby," after the infant displayed remarkable strength in his recovery following a tragic shooting incident in Little Village. On Monday, the baby underwent surgery that left him in critical condition. Despite the grim prognosis that "he could die in a second," as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, Jeremiah has been fighting back, surprising many with his resilience.
During the harrowing event near 26th and Whipple Streets, the family's car was ambushed and showered with gunfire. Not just Jeremiah but also his father were wounded, with the latter being hit multiple times in the shoulder and arm and grazed in his neck. His father was also grazed in his neck, and though now released from the hospital, still targeted by gang members on social media, according to a statement made by a family spokesperson to ABC7 Chicago.
Miraculously coming through surgery, Jeremiah was fighting for his life off a ventilator by Wednesday. "Everybody's very shocked that he's doing good ... because he's so tiny," his mother told the Chicago Sun-Times. Jeremiah's physical fortitude has been lauded by his medical team, and there is hope, albeit cautious, for his continued improvement.
In the midst of this turmoil and while Jeremiah's father supports his son out of the hospital, the family has faced a severe financial strain. They have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover future surgeries, physical therapy, and treatments for Jeremiah, who may require medical attention into his teenage years. As of this report, their fundraiser has crossed halfway to their $10,000 goal. Adding to the weight of medical bills, the family no longer deems their neighborhood safe and is considering relocation, as per the Chicago Sun-Times interview with Jeremiah's mother.
Community support has been significant in light of the incident. The Little Village Community Council is extending a helping hand, transforming its office into a center for collecting donations, ranging from clothes to baby toys. Graciela Garcia, an activist with the group, expressed heartbreak over the family possibly leaving but recognized the cascade of tragedies that have affected the community, a sentiment echoed by lead organizer Baltazar Enriquez who decried the normalization of violence and the lack of resources to address generational trauma in the area.
