[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
This is absolutely heartbreaking — and such a senseless and random act of violence that we honestly can’t even begin to imagine what would have prompted it.
A 7-year-old Chicago girl was fatally stabbed in the back by a woman she did not know — again, a complete and total stranger to her — while walking on a sidewalk with her older sister in broad daylight.
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According to the Chicago Police Department via multiple media outlets on Sunday morning, the horrific attack happened around 11:55 a.m. Saturday near South Cottage Grove Avenue and East 86th Street in Chicago’s East Chatham neighborhood.
Police said the woman approached the child while the little girl was walking with her sister, and — apparently without any provocation — stabbed her multiple times in the back with a sharp object.
The little girl, identified as Edi Mari Hernandez Chacon by NBC Chicago and the Chicago Tribune, was rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
WTF.
William Smith, a witness who works at a nearby barbershop, told WGN 9 News:
“I noticed there was a little girl laying on the ground. There was people standing over her. I heard a young lady, or somebody, say, ‘That’s the lady. She did it. She’s running.’”
Bystanders reportedly chased and detained the female suspect until police arrived. NBC Chicago obtained video showing people pursuing her with what apparently appeared to be jumper cables. A witness even went so far as to tell WGN 9 that one bystander “whacked” the suspect with the cables before he and others “started dropping the hammers” on her.
Whoa…
The suspect was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and remains in police custody. She has not been publicly identified.
As you can expect, reactions around the neighborhood were very, very strong.
Witness Stephanie Johnigan told NBC Chicago:
“It’s terrible. Our babies are losing their lives younger and younger for senseless violence every day.”
And nearby resident Denesta Freeman told ABC 7 Chicago:
“I just don’t know what this world is coming to. For a 7-year-old like that to be getting stabbed, I never thought it would come to this point. I never did. These kids nowadays are not getting to live their life.”
Chicago City Alderman Michelle A. Harris also addressed the tragedy later in the day over on Facebook, writing:
“I am deeply saddened by the senseless stabbing of a 7 year old child in our neighborhood. My heart goes out to her family, friends, and everyone who is affected by this horrific incident. No child should ever have to experience violence or fear while simply walking down the sidewalk. I also want to recognize and thank the bystanders who quickly intervened — helping to detain the suspect and get assistance on the way. Their quick actions may have prevented further harm.”
So, so sad.
Our hearts go out to Edi’s loved ones and everyone affected by this horrific tragedy. We can’t even imagine a family having to go through something like this. Just awful.
If you have sincere cause to suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.
[Image via C.M. Wiggins/WENN]
