A 2-year-old boy was critically injured in a shooting incident within a North Lawndale home on the West Side of Chicago, prompting an immediate police investigation. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the child was inside a residence on the 3800 block of West 14th Street when the gunfire erupted at approximately 4:05 p.m. He was rushed to Stroger Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and is said to be in critical condition, Chicago police informed the press.
Further reporting by CBS News Chicago revealed that the toddler, struck several times in the lower body was undergoing surgery late Thursday night. A person of interest was apprehended, and a weapon was also found at the scene.
An eyewitness residing within the building told reporters he has observed an increase in altercations within one of the apartments over recent weeks, expressing concern over the young child's safety. The area around the building saw heightened tension as CBS News Chicago documented the aftermath of the shooting. At one point, disputes broke out between onlookers and an individual who appeared to be broadcasting the scene live, with attempts to dislodge his phone until police intervened.
Harrison Area detectives continue to delve into the case, with no charges having been filed against the person in custody as of late Thursday, according to both news sources. The neighborhood, marked by a heavy police presence, saw officers establishing a wider perimeter for the thorough documentation of the spot where the tragic incident unfolded. "The boy was taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in critical condition," police confirmed to CBS News Chicago.
