Bronzeville community concerned over crime after 8-year-old girl among 3 shot at shopping center

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police continue to search for those responsible in the shooting of an 8-year-old girl and two people in their 20s on the city's South Side.

The businesses in a Bronzeville shopping plaza remained boarded up Thursday from the shooting that shattered their store fronts in the middle of the day Wednesday.

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Police say the girl is expected to be okay after she was treated for her gunshot wound at Comer Children's Hospital.

The shooting happened at the Lake Meadows Shopping Center just before 5 p.m. Wednesday near 35th and King Drive.

People living in Bronzeville said they are fed up that this kind of violence is impacting the lives of young children.

"It's ridiculous. This is insane," resident Shy Cook said. "I don't want anyone dying, but clearly this wasn't for the little girl."

Police say a dark SUV pulled up and at least one person inside fired shots at the group. Along with injured 8-year-old girl, a 28-year-old woman was shot in the knee, and a 24-year-old man was shot in the arm and chest. All of the victims were taken to nearby hospitals, initially listed in good condition.

"It's just unfortunate, and it keeps you on your guard," resident Tiya Clark said. "You have to be aware of everywhere you are."

The area has become more of a hub for crime in recent months, with people living there reporting more car break-ins and thefts across the neighborhood.

The Jewel-Osco around the corner is also where a shooting happened last November, injuring several people including a security guard.

Local non-profit anti-violence organizations and residents now urging action from elected officials.

"If we don't get ahead of this thing we're going to continue to see more people you know killed, and then we keep doing things as usual," said Dr. Sandie Norman with Life Beyond Limit Inc. "So this is not business as usual. We got to make some changes, and it has to happen now."

Alderman Lamont Robinson of the 4th Ward says his office is working closely with police as the search continues for suspects. Robinson says violence has no place in Chicago's neighborhoods.

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