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Jul 23, 2023

Girl, 8, dead after being shot in head in Portage Park; suspect in custody

By Shardaa Gray, Marybel Gonzalez, Jeramie Bizzle Updated on: August 6, 2023 / 5:26 PM / CBS Chicago CHICAGO (CBS) -- An 8-year-old girl was shot and killed Saturday night in the Portage Park

By Shardaa Gray, Marybel Gonzalez, Jeramie Bizzle

Updated on: August 6, 2023 / 5:26 PM / CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) -- An 8-year-old girl was shot and killed Saturday night in the Portage Park neighborhood, after going to get ice cream for her and her father.

Community activist Andrew Holmes said the girl's father had asked her to put her scooter away. Little did he know that would be the last time he would hear his daughter's voice.

That father's pain could be heard from other neighbors after his 8-year-old daughter was shot and killed right outside of her home.

"I just heard the shots, and then I heard the father screaming, and I called 911," one neighbor said.

"It's unfortunate that you always hear that there was a child was in the mix," another neighbor said.

Police said someone approached a group from across the street on the 3500 block of North Long Avenue around 9:40 pm., and pulled out a handgun, shooting the 8-year-old girl in the head. The shooter was shot in the face when a witness tried to disarm him.

The girl was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, and was pronounced dead a short time later. The shooter was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition. He later was taken into custody, and charges were pending Sunday afternoon.

Holmes said he spoke with the girl's father after she was killed.

"He gave her money to get ice cream. She got ice cream for her and her dad. Then he asked her to put her scooter up, but before she could even have a chance to put her scooter up, this individual ran across the street, discharged that weapon. Now we have a child that's lost," Holmes said.

Police said the girl might have been the intended target.

"We're dealing with another baby that hasn't had a chance to go back to school. I talked to her father. He said she just loved to go to school," Holmes said.

Holmes said it was the girl's father who attacked the shooter and tried to disarm him. People on the scene say they may have known each other but police have yet to confirm that. It's unclear who pulled the trigger when the suspect was shot in the face.

"He's not taking it too well, as any parent wouldn't take it too well after they lost a loved one," Holmes said.

Ald. Ruth Cruz (30th) said this isn't the first time the father has lost a loved one due to gun violence.

"About four years ago he lost his wife, just like he lost his daughter today. Also his wife was killed outside where the apartment they lived, and now he is mourning the loss of his daughter," she said.

Area Five detectives were investigating.

Shardaa Gray is a Multimedia Reporter for CBS 2 Chicago. She joined the team in December 2021. She was born and raised in the south suburbs. She's happy to return home to report on her community.

First published on August 6, 2023 / 7:00 AM

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