A South Chicago block was again under crime scene tape Thursday afternoon after a 13-year-old boy was shot in the head and rushed to the hospital in critical condition, according to Chicago police. Officers were called around 2:50 p.m. to the 8200 block of South Coles Avenue on the Far South Side, where they found the boy at the scene.
He was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he remained in critical condition as Area Two detectives opened an investigation. As of Thursday evening, no one was in custody and police had not announced any arrests.
As reported by WGN-TV, Chicago police said detectives were canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and surveillance video. Investigators had not released any suspect descriptions or a possible motive.
Coles Avenue Has Seen Recent Violence
The same stretch of Coles Avenue has already seen deadly gunfire this year. In April, a drive-by shooting in the 7800 block left a 16-year-old boy dead, underscoring the stubborn grip of gun violence on the Far South Side. That earlier killing was reported by ABC7 Chicago, which noted that Area Two detectives were assigned to that case as well.
Investigators Seek Witnesses
Chicago police told WGN-TV that they are asking anyone with information or video from the area to contact Area Two detectives as they continue to process the scene. Investigators are urging residents who saw anything or captured footage to come forward to help identify whoever is responsible for shooting the boy.
