Another Holiday, Another Child Shot In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL — Just 12 hours after Mayor Lori Lightfoot celebrated the return home of a 7-year-old girl shot on Halloween, another 7-year-old girl was shot and critically wounded early Christmas morning in the city.

The child was shot on Chicago's Southwest Side while celebrating Christmas with her family. The girl reportedly is in critical condition following surgery at Stroger Hospital. Shots were fired into the Brighton Park apartment building in the 3500 block of South Washtenaw Avenue at 1:30 a.m., according to Chicago police, and bullets struck the girl in the abdomen and arm.

A 38-year-0ld man was shot in the leg, police said. He was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital and is in stable condition.

This girl is the second 7 year old to be shot on a holiday in Chicago.

On Halloween, Giselle Zamago was shot and severely wounded while trick-or-treating in a Mickey Mouse costume in Chicago's Little Village community. A teenage gang member was trying to shoot a gang rival and struck the child. He's awaiting trial.

Zamago spent two weeks in the hospital, underwent surgery, and went home in November, reports NBC Chicago.

On Christmas Eve, Lightfoot celebrated Zamago's recovery and return home with a tweet.

"Sometimes miracles do happen," Lightfoot wrote on Twitter. "Seven-year-old Giselle was trick-or-treating when gun violence erupted and nearly took her life. Today, lovely Giselle is recovering and looking forward to Christmas at home with her family."

The name of the child wounded in the Christmas shooting has not been released.

The Chicago Tribune, quoting activist Andrew Holmes, reports that the girl lives in northwest suburban Hanover Park. She was playing with her cousins in the living room when the bullets were fired into Brighton Park building, the Tribune reports.

Lightfoot said via Twitter that she was praying for the girl.

"As we gather for the holiday, we renew our commitment to protect our children from harm. Praying for the young girl struck by a bullet in Brighton Park," Lightfoot wrote via @chicagosmayor. "To the family, CPD will do everything possible to bring the perpetrator to justice. As a City, you have our love and support."

The family issued a statement to local news media:

The family of the 7-year-old girl who was shot in Brighton Park is grateful for the outpouring of love and support. She remains in critical condition. At this time, the family is requesting privacy. No interviews will be granted. No additional updates will be provided today.

No one is in police custody at this time, WGN reports. Tips for Chicago police may be sent to tipsubmit.com.

On Christmas Eve, nine people were shot in Chicago, one of them fatally, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

This report will be updated with new developments.