CHICAGO (WLS) — A mother was killed and her two-year-old son is among three people wounded after a shooting in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, Chicago police said.
Police said the shooting happened at about 3:14 p.m. in the 1200-block of West 81st Street.
A black car pulled up and police said multiple suspects got out of the vehicle and opened fire. Police said the gunfire was intentionally aimed at one person in the group.
At least 50 bullet casings were scattered on the ground at the scene.
Sixth Ward Alderperson William Hall said he got a call Wednesday about the shooting on 81st and Racine.
“My heart is broken for her,” Hall said.
Hall said that the woman worked on his campaign and he was preparing to offer her a job.
“It hurts, but if we say we knew her, we have to keep working like her,” Hall said. “You have to keep serving like her. Three things she always brought… joy, dedication and hard work.”
A two-year-old was shot in the foot, while a 62-year-old and 29-year-old were also struck and taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in good condition.
The 23-year-old mother of the little boy was shot in the stomach, back and hand and died at the hospital. Police believe the 29-year-old man injured is the father.
“I don’t believe you can keep fighting for justice unless you have faith,” St. Sabina’s Father Michael Pfleger said.
Father Pfleger is leaning hard on that faith this morning, hours after a 23-year-old mother of a little boy lost her life to gun violence in Auburn Gresham.
“What kind of human being sees a baby and just starts spraying 40 to 50 rounds of bullets?” Fr. Pfleger said. “You ain’t a human being.”
It’s unclear if the injured 62-year-old has any ties to the other wounded.
“What we don’t talk about is just that – the trauma to the family, to the friends, to the neighborhood,” Fr. Pfleger said. “If you live in a warzone, how do you separate yourself to heal from it?”
Wednesday’s shooting comes after 16-year-old Ra’Shaun Hood was shot on the same block just two weeks ago.
Pfleger said it’s faith that can change lives in communities plagued by gun violence.
“I’ve seen people turn their lives around,” he said. “I’ve seen people who were shooters on the streets working full time jobs and doing well. You got to offer people alternatives and wrap your arms around them and walk with them.”
