A midnight shooting on a Little Italy block just off the University of Illinois Chicago campus left a 5-year-old boy critically wounded early Saturday, according to Chicago police. The child was struck in the abdomen and taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital in critical condition. A 39-year-old man was also shot in the buttocks and was taken to Stroger in good condition. Officers were called to the 1000 block of West 14th Street near the University Village area shortly after midnight.
According to WLS, Chicago police said a black SUV pulled up near a large group in the 1000-block of West 14th Street about 12:35 a.m., and someone inside began firing. The vehicle then drove south on Morgan Street after the shooting, and both victims were transported to Stroger Hospital for treatment.
What police say
In a report, WLS said "Area Three Detectives are investigating." Video from the scene showed a scooter lying on the ground behind crime-scene tape as officers canvassed the block, a stark snapshot of how quickly an ordinary night turned violent.
A block with a history
The 1000 block of West 14th Street has been the scene of other shootings in recent years. In May 2025, five gunmen opened fire there and a 20-year-old man was killed, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The block’s proximity to UIC and University Village has repeatedly put it in the spotlight for late-night gunfire and police investigations, keeping neighbors on edge.
What we know and don't
Police have not released suspect descriptions or said whether any arrests have been made. Detectives continue to collect evidence and review video from the scene as the investigation remains active.
