Chicago shooting: Man killed, 7-year-old boy among 3 injured in East Garfield Park, police say
Aiden Corothers, 7, was playing outside when he was shot in the head, his mother says
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man is dead and a 7-year-old boy is among three other people injured after a West Side shooting on Sunday afternoon.
Chicago police said the shooting happened in the East Garfield Park neighborhood's 0-100 block of South Whipple Street just after 2:30 p.m.
Four men and a child were in an empty lot when a vehicle, which was traveling southbound on Whipple Street, pulled up, police said. Someone inside that vehicle took out a gun and opened fire on the victims.
Police said 33-year-old man, shot in his head, was transported to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Two other men, a 38-year-old man shot in his lower back and a 31-year-old shot in his head, were transported to Mount Sinai in critical condition, police said.
Aiden Corothers, 7, suffered a graze wound to the head, and was transported to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. His mother, Laparis Jordan, spoke with ABC7 at the hospital. She said Aiden was playing outside, riding his scooter near his relatives when gunfire broke out.
"I rushed. I panicked, like any other parent would. But, I also, on my way, I didn't cry, because I know my son feeds off my energy," Jordan said.
Thankfully, Aiden is expected to be OK. His mother said he will spend the night at the hospital and may need a minor surgery on the back of his head, but she's confident he'll make a full recovery.
"Yes, he's gonna make an immaculate recovery," Jordan said. "He's gonna be here overnight for observation, but yes, Aiden Corothers will be up and moving like he was yesterday."
According to Chicago police data, at least eight minors have been shot in the last six days , and Jordan said her son will now face some serious trauma as one of those victims.
"I'm sure he's going to have to get some type of therapy, or something like that, because I know he's going to be traumatized from this situation, because he seen the people coming towards him," Jordan said. "He seen everybody, seen the people coming towards him, the gunman. He seen them coming, shooting towards. He seen it, and he got scared. He got scared, and grabbed his daddy's hand."
ABC7 also spoke with a woman who lives near the scene.
"Most of these people that live in this area know and care about each other. That's the way it has always been. And, they come drive up, and they tell me a kid got shot down there. I am shocked. I am shocked!" said Gerri Young.
Area Four Detectives are investigating. Police did not immediately provide further information about the shooting.
This story previously said the child is 9 years old based on information from police.
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