8-year-old girl is shot and killed in Chicago when 'known offenders' open fire
CHICAGO - An 8-year-old girl was shot in the head and killed on Saturday afternoon in Chicago.
Melissa Ortega was walking along Pulaski near West 26th with her guardian n the Little Village neighborhood around 2:45 p.m. when she was shot. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead a few hours later. Witnesses said her mom was seen covered in blood at the scene, right outside a Fifth Third Bank.
Police said that "known offenders" had opened fire at a 26-year-old man who was walking out of a store and the girl was an innocent victim. The 26-year-old was also shot and was hospitalized in critical condition.
According to a GoFundMe post, Melissa had only been in Chicago three months after relocating with family from Mexico. Ortega was struck standing one block away from where gun shots rang out.
Bullets also struck a Honda Odyssey, shattering the rear windshield glass. According to detectives, another 8-year girl was inside at the time. Fortunately, she was unharmed.
Community Activist Andrew Holmes said the family is distraught.
"If we need help from the National Guard to secure this city, then so be it," Holmes said.
He’s calling on the community to identify the gunman fast. At least five kids under the age of 18 have been shot and killed in Chicago so far this year.
No suspects are in custody at this time. The family is now planning funeral services to take place in Mexico.
No one is in custody.