Baby boy shot in Little Village recovering in ICU; father still target, friends say
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 3-month-old baby is recovering after being shot in Little Village, according to his family.
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The baby boy was shot in the chest on Saturday around 4 p.m. near 26th and Whipple streets. He was in the car with his family, when two gunmen opened fire at the Chevy Camaro.
The car was riddled with bullets, and the boy was hit between the neck and shoulder.
Jeremiah, as identified by his family, underwent clavicle and nerve surgery on Monday, community officials said. His mother said the surgery went well, and he is stable at Stroger Hospital. However, he is not out of the danger zone.
In an effort to financially help the family, the Little Village Community Council is sharing a GoFundMe account.
READ ALSO | Community holds vigil for 3-month-old boy shot, critically injured inside car in Little Village
Doctors told the family that Jeremiah will be receiving medical treatment until his teenage years due to the extent of the injuries.
Jeremiah's mother released the following statement:
"We are deeply distressed by the recent incident involving our three-month-old baby, Jeremiah, who was critically injured in a tragic act of Chicago violence. Our baby is currently receiving intensive care in the ICU, and we are holding on to hope and praying for a full recovery.
Our family is profoundly grateful for the medical team's expertise and the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the community. We ask for continued prayers and respect for our privacy as we navigate this extremely challenging time."
Family spokesperson Chela Garcia read another statement from the boy's mother, saying "My child is lucky to be alive. They're calling him a miracle from God because they don't know how he's still with us."
Jeremiah's father, who has not been identified and was the apparent target, was also injured in the shooting. Little Village officials said the 21-year-old was shot multiple times in the arm and shoulder, and is recovering.
He's been released from the hospital, and supporting his son.
No one is in custody.
Little Village community leaders are trying to help the young family.
"This is a young couple, just started building a family, and they're in need of our support," said Enrique Baltazar, with the Little Village Community Council. "It's gonna be a long road for him to recover. The family is just praying he gets out of the hospital."
The baby's father is still the apparent target of gang members on social media.
"There have been pictures of the father put on FB pages that are gang-related, showing he was not killed. And, if you want to finish the job, this is what he looks like," Garcia said.
