4-year-old boy shot, critically injured inside vehicle near Humboldt Park, police say
Grandmother's quick thinking helped save 4-year-old grandson's life, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes says
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 4-year-old boy was shot and critically injured inside a vehicle on Chicago's Northwest Side on Tuesday afternoon, police said.
Police said the shooting happened in the 3300 block of West North Avenue near Humboldt Park just before 4 p.m.
A 4-year-old boy was inside a moving vehicle when someone shot him in the back, police said.
"It's unbelievable that we still have to suffer this kind of violence in our city," said Maria Ugarte, who lives in the area.
The 4-year-old boy's grandmother, who was in the car with him when shots were fired, told ABC7 that the two of them were on their way to get an ICEE when the gunfire broke out.
She said thankfully, her grandson is out of surgery, and while he still in critical condition, she said, his condition is stabilized.
As investigators canvassed the area, multiple evidence markers were seen in the middle of the street next to two vehicles with bullet holes.
"There were two cars that were hit by the shooting. One was a white vehicle with two men in it. They did not get hit," said Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, who represents the 26th Ward. "And then, there was another vehicle with a grandmother and a grandson."
Fuentes said the 4-year-old and his grandmother were innocent bystanders in what investigators believe was a targeted shooting.
Fuentes added that it was the grandmother's quick thinking that helped save her grandson's life. After the shooting, she drove the boy to a nearby hospital before he was transported to Stroger Hospital.
"She's extremely brave. Her ability to act and not freeze in that moment is what allowed this young boy to still be alive to this very moment," Fuentes said.
Fuentes said tomorrow they, together with community organizers and violence interrupters, will be canvassing the scene of the shooting to connect with residents and business owners.
Area Five detectives are investigating. Police did not immediately provide further information about the shooting.
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