Deonta Howard, 3, was one of 13 shot. He is recovering at Mt. Sinai Hospital and in surgery now. pic.twitter.com/6ev3egC2BU
— Jessica D'Onofrio (@donofrioABC7) September 20, 2013
After one of the bloodiest nights in Chicago’s recent memory, three year old Deonta Howard was shot in the head last night. The child is stabilizing in a local hospital now after he was caught in the middle of a mass shooting.
Here is what you need to know:
1. 13 People Were Shot in the Incident
Police gather at the scene of last night’s mass shooting. (Getty)
Last night at around 10:15 p.m., two gunman ran up to Cornell Square Park in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago and open fired into a basketball game. A witness told the Chicago Tribune he heard as many as 20 shots and when paramedics arrived, a dozen people were laying on the ground.
One witness described the weapon as sounding like an AK-47.
Thirteen people, ages ranging from 3 to 41, were shot, mostly on the lower half of their bodies. Three-year-old Deonta Howard was identified as the youngest victim. He was shot in the ear.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel released a statement this morning saying:
Senseless and brazen acts of violence have no place in Chicago and betray all that we stand for. The perpetrators of this crime will be brought to justice and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I encourage everyone in the community to step forward with any information and everyone in Chicago to continue their individual efforts to build stronger communities where violence has no place
2. In Total 19 People Were Shot in Chicago Last Night
The scene of another shooting in Chicago last night, September 20, 2013. (Getty)
Along with the thirteen shot at the neighborhood basketball game, six other people were shot across Chicago last night.
According to the Chicago Tribune, a 36-year-old man was killed after being shot multiple times near 77th Street at around 6:56 p.m. A teenage boy was shot in the foot at around 6:35 p.m. Two men in their twenties were both shot at around 6:52 p.m., one in the thigh and one in the stomach. At 7:15 p.m. a 28-year-old man was shot in the stomach, and just after 10:30, a 21-year-old man was shot in both legs.
3. Howard is Currently Stabilizing After Surgery
Deonta Howard, 3, now out of surgery and stabilized at Mt. Sinai Hospital #Chicago
— Jessica D'Onofrio (@donofrioABC7) September 20, 2013
Jessica D’Onofrio of Chicago’s ABC 7 is now reporting that the 3-year-old Howard is currently stabilizing after surgery in Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago.
Police told the Chicago Tribune that Howard was shot near the ear, and that the bullet exited through his cheek. He was originally pronounced as being in critical condition.
4. Howard’s Uncle Was Shot and Killed Earlier This Month
Aunt of little boy shot said her brother was killed on Labor Day. Second relative affected by gunshot this month.
— Becky Schlikerman (@schlikerman) September 20, 2013
Howard’s aunt says that her brother was also killed during the multiple shootings that occurred in Chicago on Labor Day weekend.
The homicide that occurred that weekend, according to DNA info, involved a 21-year-old man being shot in the head around 2 p.m.
5. There Were 500 Homicides in Chicago in 2012
Chicago residents took to the streets in July to rally against the high homicide rate. (Getty)
As of this week, the FBI has declared that Chicago is now the murder capital of the United States. Chicago racked up a body count of 500 killed by homicide in 2012 alone, and the number continues to rise as the Windy City makes its way through 2013.
