CHICAGO, IL - A little girl was fatally stabbed in the morning hours on Saturday, October 3 while walking along a sidewalk in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the victim as seven-year-old Edimari Hernandez Chacon. Bystanders who witnessed the attack detained a woman suspected in the stabbing until officers arrived, ABC7 reported.
The attack happened around 11:55 a.m. in the 8600 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue. Police said the girl was walking southbound when an adult woman approached, displayed a sharp object and stabbed her multiple times in the back. The little girl was taken to Comer Children's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Security video from the area appears to show the seven-year-old walking hand-in-hand with a woman before the attack. Additional video appears to show bystanders rushing toward the scene to detain the suspect, who was outside the camera's view. Police said the suspect was injured as bystanders detained her.
She was later taken to a hospital with injuries that were considered non-life-threatening and is in police custody. Charges are pending. Police have not said whether the girl and suspect knew each other or whether the stabbing was a random attack. Area Two detectives are investigating a motive.
"The poor baby had nothing to do with what was going on, " one woman said. Residents expressed outrage and grief following the attack. "I just don 't know what this world is coming to ... for a seven-year-old like that to be getting stabbed," resident Denesta Freeman said. Family members gathered outside the Comer Children's Hospital.
"I never thought it would come to this point. I never did. These kids nowadays are not getting to live their life," Freeman said. Alderwoman Michelle Harris released a statement following the incident. "I am deeply saddened by the senseless stabbing of a 7 year old child in our neighborhood. My heart goes out to her family, friends, and everyone who is affected by this horrific incident. No child should ever have to experience violence or fear while simply walking down the sidewalk."
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