An unidentified gunman shot and injured four children Saturday night on the South Side of Chicago.
The incident took place in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, a residential community situated within Cook County lines.
First responders rushed to the 4500 block of South Prairie Avenue after receiving emergency calls at approximately 9:39 p.m.
Chicago Police Department officers arrived at the residential block and discovered four young male victims positioned near each other on the street.
Preliminary physical evidence indicates the victims stood outside together when the suspect approached the group and discharged a firearm multiple times.
The victims range in age from 12 to 14 years old.
Paramedics transported three of the injured boys to Comer Children’s Hospital, a specialized pediatric medical center located on the nearby University of Chicago campus.
Medical personnel treated a 12-year-old boy for a gunshot wound to his left leg, and hospital officials listed him in good condition.
A 13-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to his left foot during the gunfire and also remains in good condition at the facility.
Ambulances brought the third victim, a 14-year-old boy, to the same pediatric center to receive treatment for a graze wound on his back.
Emergency staff listed the 14-year-old victim in fair condition following his arrival.
First responders redirected the fourth victim, a 13-year-old boy, to Stroger Hospital on the Near West Side.
Doctors at Stroger Hospital treated the teenager for a gunshot wound to his right leg and confirmed he remains in good condition.
Local community leaders note that the late-night violence on Prairie Avenue highlights ongoing safety concerns for families residing near the local parks and schools in the Grand Boulevard community area.
Residents looking to minimize risks during late-night neighborhood travel can utilize well-lit major thoroughfares like South Martin Luther King Drive or South Indiana Avenue instead of secondary residential side streets.
Community organizations recommend that local parents establish strict evening check-in times and encourage youths to travel in larger groups when walking home after dark.
The Chicago Police Department has not released a description of the shooter or a potential motive for the attack.
Area Central detectives are actively processing ballistic evidence collected from the scene and looking for any available security camera footage from nearby residential buildings.
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Authorities urge local homeowners with personal ring cameras or dashcam footage captured near 45th Street and Prairie Avenue on Saturday night to contact law enforcement immediately.
Community members can submit anonymous tips regarding the shooting directly to the Chicago Police Department tracking portal at cpdtip.com.
