14-year-old boy shot to death in Gresham, Chicago police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A teenage boy was shot to death on the city's South Side Thursday evening, Chicago police said.

ABC7 has learned the 14-year-old victim was part of the Midwest Hawks Youth Football family. Officials with the program said he was beloved by his parents, brothers and former teammates.

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Police said officers responded to a call about a person shot in the Gresham neighborhood's 8000 block of South Carpenter Street just after 11:30 p.m.

Responding officers found a 14-year-old boy who had been shot in the body multiple times, police said.

The Chicago Fire Department treated the victim on the scene. He was transported in critical condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The teen has not yet been officially identified by the Cook County Medicals Examiner's Office.

What led up to the shooting was not immediately clear. Officers taped off an alley as the searched for evidence.

Community activist pastor Donovan Price responded the scene Thursday night.

"When a child is shot, there are so many, so many people affected," Price said. "I immediately start thinking of other kids who are going to be affected by this - teachers, coaches, family."

Neighbors told ABC7 they heard as many as eight gunshots.

"It breaks my heart because I have a 22-year-old son. And for a kid to be 14-years-old-he's just barely beginning to live his life," nearby resident Marilyn Jones said. "It's hard. It's heartbreaking. You know, it's it is heartbreaking. And then to hear so many good things about him."

The Midwest Hawks Youth Football program posted a tribute to the former player, reading in part, "Though his life was taken far too soon, his memory will forever remain a part of the Midwest Hawks family. His smile, his presence, and the impact he made on those around him will never be forgotten."

The Midwest Hawks Youth Football program says it will host a vigil for the 14-year-old in the next few days.

"We need to keep hope going. We need to keep hope moving. And when it comes to our children, we need to keep hope growing," Price said.

Chicago police said Area Two detectives are investigating and no arrests have been made.

Authorities have not provided further information about the shooting.

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