An unthinkable tragedy struck Chicago's South Side when an 8-year-old boy was killed, and his 5-year-old brother was injured in a shooting incident at their home in the Englewood neighborhood. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the shooting took place around 5:20 p.m. yesterday, in the 1400 block of West 71st Place. Following the incident, both children were rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital, where the older boy, Josiah Hooker, sadly succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head.
In the wake of the shooting, the local community has been left reeling, searching for answers and ways to prevent such senseless violence. The younger boy, who suffered a graze wound to the head, was reported to be in good condition, adding a sliver of hope amidst the sorrow. Witnesses on the scene described the harrowing moments leading up to the police's arrival, and officers were seen detaining a man, covered in blood, believed to be a relative of the boys, as detailed by the Chicago Sun-Times. A woman also said to be a relative, was taken in by the police for questioning.
Similarly, reports from CBS News Chicago indicated that the shooting occurred near the Grand Crossing neighborhood. The incident is believed to have transpired at a residence on 71st Place, just off Blackstone Avenue at 5:22 p.m., shortly before sunset. A neighbor told CBS News Chicago, "Just devastating to get that news, right?" said neighbor Aaron Franklin. "And then, you know, how do you handle that??"
The shooting has once again brought to light the urgent need for gun safety, especially within homes where children are present. Tragically, additional children may have witnessed the shooting, and a firearm was recovered at the scene by police. Activist and pastor Donovan Price, who arrived at Comer to offer support to the family, underscored the bitter irony of firearms in the home. "It causes a level of tragedy that you couldn't imagine," Price told CBS News Chicago. As detectives continue their investigation, a primary goal is determining the gun's ownership and piecing together the events leading up to those fatal shots.
