The 9-year-old boy who was fatally shot in an alley in Chicago while still in his school uniform late Monday afternoon may have been targeted, sources told NBC Chicago.
Fourth-grader Tyshawn Lee was in a Gresham neighborhood alleyway near his grandmother’s home around 4:15 p.m. when he was shot multiple times in the head and back, police said.
While officials said an investigation is ongoing, sources said authorities are working on two theories surrounding the boy’s killing.
One theory is that the young boy was walking through the alley when he became caught in the middle of an argument. A second theory is the boy was the intended target in the shooting.
Sources said both theories appeared to be credible as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, but authorities said they’re still investigating a possible motive.
Chief of Detectives Constantine "Dean" Andrews said at a Monday night press conference they don’t know if Lee was hit by stray bullets or if he was targeted, but they do know a group of people had previously been in the alley where his body was found when an argument broke out and someone started shooting.
After the murder the group fled the scene. Police officers spent the night canvassing the neighborhood and asking for surveillance footage.
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"Somebody executed a baby," Father Michael Pfleger from Saint Sabina Church said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
Pfleger revealed Tuesday afternoon that a reward for information leading to an arrest in the case had climbed to $20,000.
Lee was a student at Scott Joplin School, where his teachers say he was a "delight" to have in class.
Lee's aunt told NBC 5 her nephew loved video games, sports and playing outside.
"They got karma coming for them so I mean, hey, you just got to keep your head up and pray," she said.
Anyone who may have information about the incident is being asked to call (312) 747-8271.
