Authorities are searching for suspects after three young girls became the innocent victims of a gang-related shooting on Chicago's West Side Sunday night.
The shooting took place at around 9:54 p.m. in the 3400 block of West Walnut Street in the city's East Garfield Park neighborhood, according to Chicago police.
Officials said three unknown offenders, traveling eastbound on Walnut in a black sedan, opened fire out of their vehicle, striking a total of six people.
Three of the victims were young girls, ages 5, 14 and 15, who were in a car driven by their mother when they were shot and were not the intended targets of the shooting, according to police.
The 14-year-old girl was shot in the chest, arm and abdomen and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, according to police. The 5-year-old was hit in the arm and taken to Stroger Hospital in stable condition and the 15-year-old was shot in the thigh and taken in good condition to Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, officials said.
The three other victims - all documented gang members, according to police - were standing outside when they were shot.
A 17-year-old boy was shot in the foot and a 26-year-old man in the thigh, according to police, who said they were both taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition. A 20-year-old woman was shot in the chest and arm and taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center in serious condition, officials said.
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Authorities said the shooters' vehicle was last seen traveling northbound on North Homan Avenue.
Police said they've been trying to combat an increase in gang violence in the neighborhood.
"We have historical gang conflicts in this area," Deputy Chicago Police Chief Al Nagode said at a news conference.
"We’ve been devoting a tremendous amount of resources this weekend, specifically in an attempt to prevent this."
No one is in custody as the investigation remained ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to contact Chicago police.
