A 7-year old girl was killed in gang crossfire Wednesday night on the West Side. She was outside her house at about 10:40 p.m. selling candy when shots were fired.
The mother of 7-year old Heaven Sutton had set up a tent and some tables to sell candy and snow cones so children wouldn't have to walk to stores in this area, which police and residents said is plagued with shootings.
"You're a coward!" said Ashake Banks, Heaven's mother. "You're a baby thief! I just want you to turn yourself in. You took her life, so it's time for you to do life."
Heaven loved working in her makeshift candy store and was right beside her mother when shots were fired. She did what she had been told, she ran inside. She had been shot in the back.
Police combed the neighborhood Wednesday night and Thursday, looking for two suspects: men ages 18-25.
A source said they've been tracking two active gangs in the neighborhood. A source also said police have been given a name and they followed up on that lead.
The Leaders Network, a group of West Side ministers, led a prayer circle at the scene of the shooting. The candy store has been turned into a memorial.
"It's a horrible time in our community when a child has to dodge bullets as if she's in a war zone," said Pastor Ira Acree.
Many neighbors wept as they tied balloons to trees and fences and laid flowers at the scene. They said Heaven was a treasure of a girl. She was to start second grade in the fall.
Heaven recently had asked her mother to move the family away from the neighborhood because of frequent gunfire.
Heaven's mother Ashake Banks said she won't rest until the shooter is in jail.
Pastors will join the family Thursday night at the corner of North Ave. and Central to announce a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. A trust fund is being set up for the family.
A 19-year old male also was shot and wounded. The family said they do not know his identity.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:27:58 GMT
A southwest suburban teen pleaded guilty to being drunk when he fatally struck a 4-year-old girl chasing a ball in the street has been sentenced to probation and community service.
A southwest suburban teen pleaded guilty to being drunk when he fatally struck a 4-year-old girl chasing a ball in the street has been sentenced to probation and community service.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:55:58 GMT
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:56:25 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
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