4-year-old shot in back in drive-by on South Side

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 4-year-old was shot in the back while playing outside Wednesday evening on the city's South Side, police say.

The boy was listed in critical condition after completing surgery. His family transported him to Comer Children's Hospital. Police examined the car outside the hospital as the boy was treated inside.

"To the guy who shot that baby: you a coward. He a coward," says April Boss, who witnessed the shooting.

Boss says the shooter calmly rode a bicycle to the scene and opened fire. Other witnesses say they heard up to six shots. Police said the shooting happened while the child was outside near 57th and Morgan around 5:40 p.m.

"He got off the bike and went straight on up there. Still missed. Still missed!" Boss says.

"Terrible is all I can say," says Alexis Burns.

Burns heard the gunfire and saw frantic family members with the wounded toddler.

"I heard four shots and then I came out the house and while I was coming outside I seen the lady putting the boy in a car and they drove off," Burns says.

The boy is now one of four children shot in Chicago in the past seven days.

Police are investigating the shooting. Police say this is the second time in a month someone has fired shots at the house. The boy does not live there, he was visiting relatives. No one was immediately in custody.