New details released in Chicago shooting death of 9-year-old Jarvis Watts

CHICAGO - A 9-year-old is the latest young victim of violence in Chicago, and his death has been ruled a homicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Now, community activists are offering to pay for the child’s funeral services, and they’re offering a reward for information that will lead to an arrest in the case.

Jarvis Watts was shot multiple times Sunday night inside a Washington Heights home, with other children and adults around at the time.

The shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. near 94th and South Wallace. There, officers found the child with several gunshot wounds, and he was rushed to the hospital where he died.

Police could not say if the shooting was accidental or intentional. However, an autopsy ruled his death a homicide. The cause was multiple gunshot wounds.

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"There seems to be no end in sight," said Rabbi Michael Ben Yousef, who’s offered to pay for the child’s funeral expenses. "We ended 2022 with the same results — over 4,000 shootings and over 700 homicides."

Watts was one of seven people killed this weekend in the city – another 21 were wounded in gun violence.

"You're not safe on the streets and not safe in your own home. What does that tell you? There's too many illegal guns out there. Too many guns out there. And I believe in your amendment right to bear arms, but a lot of people, we live in Wisconsin, we've got Indiana, guns are coming in. The flow of guns is an outrage," said activist Raul Montes, Jr.

According to the medical examiner’s office, the child’s address was about five miles from the crime scene. The shooting happened at a relative’s home.

"We know in every community who committed the crime, and it is time for good people, good citizens to stand up and come forward," said former alderman Bob Fioretti.

Chicago police are questioning those who were present at the time and have not yet found the weapon.