In a horrifying incident that has shaken Chicago, a three-month-old baby boy was shot in the chest while his parents were out buying baby formula. The attack unfolded in the parking lot of a Walgreens in the Little Village neighbourhood where young Jeremiah Carlos was caught in the crossfire.
The child’s devastated family, who have kept a bedside vigil since the shooting, stated that doctors are concerned about the possibility of lifelong care due to the severity of Jeremiah’s injuries. In an emotional plea on a GoFundMe page set up for the infant, Lily, the baby’s mother, expressed her anguish: “While simply out for a store run to get baby formula, this unfortunate and senseless act of violence occurred and turned our family’s worlds upside down. We are now facing a devastating crisis.”
Despite the grave circumstances, there is a glimmer of hope as Jeremiah is reported to be stable in intensive care following the cruel act which took place last Saturday afternoon.
Alongside detailing the tragic event, where the family found themselves under a hail of bullets as they attempted to leave the pharmacy’s location on West 26th Street around 4:30pm, a terrifying account has emerged from the police report acquired by the Chicago Sun-Times: armed individuals stepped forth from an SUV, unleashing gunfire towards the parents’ Camaro.
Acting with a surprising presence of mind amidst the deadly chaos, Jeremiahs mother managed to drive away, making it only to 24th Street before flagging down an ambulance that rushed them to safety, reports the Mirror US.
Jeremiah’s father was struck multiple times in the right shoulder and arm, with a bullet also grazing his neck. He managed to flee into the store while the armed attackers, wielding a green rifle and handgun, leapt back into their vehicle and sped away down Albany Avenue.
The shooting was gang-related and targeted, according to members of the Little Village Community Council speaking on behalf of the victim’s family. Jeremiah has already undergone one operation to repair his clavicle and faces a long road to recovery.
Balthazar Enriquez, of the Little Village Community Council, stated that it will be “a long time” before the child can leave the hospital. The Little Village Community Council has been rallying support for the victim’s family, accepting donations either at their office or through a GoFundMe campaign.
The boy’s dad has since been discharged from hospital, but the family remains living in fear. “There has been pictures of the father put on Facebook pages that are gang related, showing that he was not killed and if you guys want to finish the job, you know, this is what he looks like,” revealed Chela Garcia, a representative from the Little Village Community Council.
The community group has implored local leaders to step up support for the area, long plagued by gang warfare. “This community has been traumatised by violence year after year after year, but no one gives us any tools, any resources for us to combat the generational trauma,” Enriquez declared.
Meanwhile, the family of the young victim is pleading for financial help and any leads that could culminate in an arrest concerning the shooting, which remains unsolved. So far, no arrests have been made.
