Violence Interrupters Executive Director Tio Hardiman asked during a press conference Thursday morning outside Chicago Police Headquarters for Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot to introduce measures to provide body armor to kids.
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Hardiman said nearly 40 children have been shot and killed so far this year.
One of them was 8-year-old Dajore Wilson, who Hardiman claims might be alive if she had this kind of protection.
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"The young girl, Dajore Wilson, shot and killed on 47th Street, if she had a bulletproof backpack, there's a possibility it could've helped to save her life, if someone had acted fast and put the bulletproof backpack in the window," Hardiman said.
Hardiman is a former politician and community activist. During Thursday's press conference, several children demonstrated how the backpacks, made by Tier 1 Protective Solutions, could help during a possible shooting.
Several backpacks were also given out at the event.