Eight children were shot in Chicago over Labor Day weekend, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said at a news conference Monday.
Police said the age of the children ranged from 4 to 18 years. Seven were shot and wounded while the 4-year-old was killed, ABC News reported.
Brown said the children were not direct targets, but were caught in the crossfire of criminal activity, with two bullets flying into the 4-year-old’s home while cutting his hair and hitting him on the head.
“I’m not trying to vilify the victim, but these innocent young children shouldn’t be a byproduct of your criminal behavior,” Brown said.
“This goes directly to the target offenders: you know the life you’re leading, you know you’re being targeted or you’ve done something to provoke that retribution from some rival gang or some rival person. Why keep being around the young people, our children? “he added.
An ABC News analysis of police reports over the weekend showed that 49 adults were shot between Friday night and Monday morning.
Patrol Chief Brian McDermott said there was a greater police presence over the weekend in areas that have seen gunfire increase.
Police are offering a $ 9,000 reward to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the killer of the 4-year-old boy.
“People in the community know who the offenders are and the circumstances behind who is being targeted and we need people in the community to show up,” Brown said. “This is beyond trusting the police. It’s about the safety of our babies.”
Chicago has seen more than 2,300 people shot this year, ABC News reported.