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An investigation is underway in Chicago after a shooting at a family gathering Saturday night left a 7-year-old boy dead and seven other adults and children injured.
Chicago Police Deputy Chief Don Jerome said officers responded to an 18-shot call in the 2000 block of 52nd Street, west of Damen Avenue, around 9:30 p.m.
The alert pointed officers to an area in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
When officers arrived on the scene, they found several people shot on the block, according to Jerome, who added that life-saving measures, including tourniquets and chest seals, were immediately implemented.
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In total, eight people were shot, including three children and five adults, Jerome said.
A 7-year-old girl, who was shot in the head, was pronounced dead, while a 1-year-old boy and a 7-year-old boy were shot multiple times and taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The adult victims range in age from 19 to 40 years old and were all transported to area hospitals by the Chicago Fire Department. Their conditions were not immediately available.
There was a family gathering during the time of the shooting and the eight victims were outside, Jerome said.
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Chicago police said the shooting was “not a random act of violence” and was “likely gang-related.”
“Regardless of the reason for this incident, three innocent children were injured tonight and one of them tragically succumbed to his injuries,” Jerome said.
He also thanked the Chicago Police Department for “greatly” assisting officers at the scene, which he described as “horrible” and “unacceptable.”
There are no suspects in custody as of early Sunday morning, but witnesses told police they believe there were two shooters and both were on foot.
Any tips about the shooting or suspects can be called to CPD Area One detectives or sent to the tipster’s local police department.
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