A 6-year-old child was caught in gunfire on Chicago's South Side on Tuesday night, and now detectives are asking the public to help them find the man they say pulled the trigger.
The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. near the 700 block of East 51st Street in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood. According to police, someone fired toward the intersection of 51st Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, and the child was struck in the chaos. Investigators have opened an active probe into the attack.
Police Release Footage, Ask Public to Take a Close Look
The Chicago Police Department has released a short surveillance clip on its YouTube channel that appears to show a man in dark clothing firing a handgun toward the intersection. The video is titled "Aggravated Assault with a Handgun | 700 Block of East 51st St" and carries reference JK315331, according to Chicago Police.
Investigators describe the suspect as an African American man dressed in all-black clothing, including a hooded sweatshirt with a distinct logo visible in the footage. Detectives are hoping someone recognizes the logo or the suspect's build and comes forward.
How Residents Can Help Investigators
Police are urging anyone who might have seen something or knows the suspect to get in touch. Information can be directed to Detective Ezquivel, badge #20497, at 312-747-8380, or submitted anonymously at CPDTIP.com using reference number JK315331.
Officers are also going door to door in the area and leaning on neighborhood tech. As CBS Chicago notes, police are asking residents to review doorbell camera and dash-cam footage from around the time of the shooting to see if anything suspicious was captured.
Another Child Hit in South Side Gunfire
The case has landed with a thud in a community already weary of headlines about kids getting shot. It is one of the latest high-profile incidents this year in which a child has been injured on the South Side and has fueled renewed calls for violence-interruption efforts rooted in the neighborhood.
In March, a 13-year-old girl was critically shot in a separate drive-by, highlighting yet again how quickly routine moments on busy corridors can turn dangerous when bullets start flying. Community groups have been pushing for more patrols and resources to blunt the annual uptick in summer gun violence.
Detectives Working Leads, Public Urged to Come Forward
Detectives say the investigation is very much active. They are reviewing all available video, including the clip released publicly, and running down leads as they come in.
Police are stressing that even a small tip or brief video clip could help identify the shooter and move the case forward. Anyone with information or footage from the area around the time of the shooting is asked to contact investigators so they can work toward holding the gunman accountable.
