Near West Side

7-year-old child shot to death on Chicago's Near West Side

The child was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition

NBC Universal, Inc.

A 7-year-old child was shot to death in Chicago's Near West Side neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities.

According to police, the shooting occurred shortly before 4 p.m. in the 2300 block of West Jackson Boulevard.

In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said the child sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was discovered at the above location lying on the ground by responding officers.

Police said the child was leaving their residence and was going to visit a neighbor who lived nearby when he was struck by gunfire.

Responding police officers performed life-saving measures on the child before being transported to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The child was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office as Jai'mani Amir Rivera.

Snelling said he believes the child was not targeted in the shooting, though he didn't offer a potential motive and said any possibility the shooting was an act of gang violence was "speculation."

There is currently no one in custody. Snelling said police are canvassing the nearby area in an effort to find more information on the gunman.

An earlier version of this story reported information from a Chicago police spokesperson that the victim of the shooting was 4 years old. This story has been updated to reflect updated details.

Contact Us