Police were investigating Saturday after an 8-year-old girl was fatally shot in broad daylight in the Little Village neighborhood, authorities said. NBC 5’s Vi Nguyen has the story.
An 8-year-old girl died Saturday following a shooting in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, police said.
At approximately 2:45 p.m., the girl was walking northbound on Pulaski with her mother when she was shot in the head near the 3900 block of West 26th St., officials said. A 26-year-old man was also shot in the back.
Both victims were taken to an area hospital in critical condition.
The girl was rushed into surgery but later died as a result of her injuries, authorities stated. She has since been identified as Melissa Ortega, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
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According to police, the male victim was leaving a store when someone fired shots, striking him and the young girl.
"Today’s an extremely sad day," said Ald. Michael Rodriguez of Chicago's 22nd Ward, which includes parts of Little Village. "I lived in my community of Little Village all my life, and it’s one of the saddest days I’ve ever experienced."
Following the shooting, investigators went door to door, talking to businesses and neighbors, hoping to find any surveillance problem to identify the shooter.
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As of Saturday, a motive remained unknown.
"If it was gang related, then stand up as gangs and give up these individuals that discharge their weapon...why would you allow anyone to take a child’s life in the first place, just stand up?" said community activist Andrew Holmes.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call Chicago police or submit a tip online.
