[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
This is absolutely heartbreaking – and such a senseless and random act of violence that we honestly can’t imagine what could have caused it.
A 7-year-old Chicago girl was stabbed in the back by an unknown woman and killed – then, a Complete And Total Stranger to him – while walking on the sidewalk with his elder sister in broad daylight.
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according to Chicago Police Department The horrific attack happened around 11:55 a.m. Saturday near South Cottage Grove Avenue and East 86th Street in Chicago, according to multiple media outlets Sunday morning. East Chatham neighbourhood.
Police said the young girl was walking with her sister when the woman approached her and – apparently without provocation – stabbed her multiple times in the back with a sharp object.
The little girl was identified as eddie marie hernandez chacon By nbc chicago and this Chicago Tribunewas run Comer Children’s HospitalWhere he was later declared dead.
WTF.
William SmithA witness working at a nearby barber shop said wgn 9 news: :
“I saw a little girl lying on the ground. People were standing over her. I heard a young woman or someone say, ‘That’s the woman. She did it. She’s running away.'”
Bystanders reportedly chased the female suspect and detained her until police arrived. nbc chicago Video obtained shows people chasing him with what appears to be jumper cables. One witness even said wgn 9 A bystander “killed” the suspect with a cable before he and others “started dropping hammers” on him.
Wow…
The suspect was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and remains in police custody. He has not been publicly identified.
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As you might expect, reactions in the neighborhood were swift.
Witness Stephanie Johnigan told nbc chicago: :
“This is terrible. Our children are losing their lives every day at an early age due to senseless violence.”
And he lives nearby danesta freeman told abc 7 chicago: :
“I don’t know what direction this world is coming to. A 7-year-old kid would be stabbed, I never thought it would come to this. I never did. Nowadays these kids are not getting a chance to live their lives.”
Chicago City Alderman Michelle A. harris Later in the day this tragedy was also addressed FacebookWrite:
“I am deeply saddened by the senseless stabbing of a 7-year-old boy in our neighborhood. My condolences to his family, friends, and everyone affected by this terrible incident. No child should ever experience violence or fear while walking on the sidewalk. I also want to recognize and thank the bystanders who quickly intervened – helping to detain the suspect and get help en route. Their quick actions may have prevented further harm.”
So, very sad.
Our thoughts are with Idi’s loved ones and everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. We cannot even imagine that any family has to go through this. just awful.
If you have serious reason to suspect child abuse, call the ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.
[Image via C.M. Wiggins/WENN]