Two men arrested and questioned Wednesday night in the shooting of a 7-year-old girl were released Thursday, prompting police to canvass the South Side neighborhood with leaflets and questions for neighbors.
Also patrolling the area of 80th and Manastee were Pastors United for Change.
"If we keep allowing these situations to happen, and no one wants to snitch, what's going to happen when it's your family?" asked Pastor Donald Smith.
Seven-year-old Desaree Sanders was shot in the head Wednesday afternoon as she rode her silver scooter outside her grandmother's house.
Neighbors are understandably outraged.
Robin Johnson, who lives across the street said this is not a case of a little girl being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"She was right where she should be. By her grandma," Johnson said. "They in the wrong place 'cause they should be in jail."
An off-duty Chicago Police officer was near the scene Wednesday when gun shots rang out. That officer tailed the suspects car until police arrived to make the arrest.
But after questioning the two teens, 16- and 19-years-old, police determined they didn’t play a role in the shooting.
Police.
Cops are interviewing several people who were present at the incident, including the person they believe was the intended target. Investigators said the shooting was likely gang-related.
Debris from bullet-ridden fences still lay in the street Wednesday evening as police washed the girl’s blood from the street.
Meanwhile, Sanders is still in intensive care.
Doctors expect her to survive, according to the Sun-Times, but fear she may lose her vision.
