1 dead, 4-year-old boy injured in Austin triple shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) -- One person is dead and a 4-year-old boy is among the injured in a triple shooting in Chicago's Austin neighborhood Friday.

The shooting happened shortly before 5:30 p.m. in the 5200-block of West Kamerling Avenue.

A 4-year-old was shot in the arm, and went running for help after witnessing his 27-year-old mother fall to the ground after she was shot in the head. Her 19-year-old boyfriend was also hit by gunfire, and was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.

"That little boy ran to the open garage on the other side over there, in the T alley, asking for help because his mother just got shot," said relative Johnny Betts.

Nikkia Betts was rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her family believes her boyfriend was the intended target.

"She was an innocent bystander and so was the baby," Johnny said.

"You see a little kid, 4 years old, shot. And I'm sure he's gonna be traumatized because he saw his mama shot," said Ronnie Betts, relative.

Witnesses said they heard about a dozen shots. Police spent hours in the alley collecting evidence. No one is in custody.

Police said the 19-year-old is a documented gang member.

"They need to turn themselves in because this is totally, 100 percent senseless," Johnny said.

There are many calls to stop the bloodshed, and community members marched through the streets on the City's South Side demanding peace. Chicago reached 400 homicides early Friday morning.