A 5-year-old suburban Chicago boy is dead after being shot while riding in a car with his family.
Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said the entire department is investigating Friday night's shooting of Eric Galarza Jr.
The boy was riding in the car with his parents and two younger siblings when shots rang out. The car was pulling out of a driveway of home in the 900 block of Elma Avenue at the time.
Swoboda said it appeared someone was waiting for the family and specifically targeted their vehicle. He said he believed it was gang related.
Family members erected a makeshift memorial outside the Elgin home where Eric was shot, including pictures, candles and balloons.
"He was such a fun, bright little boy. He was always talking and he was just -- he was always happy and we're going to miss him a lot. I can't believe they took him away from us," the boy's mother sobbed.
No one else was injured and no suspects were in custody Saturday afternoon.
