Girl, 7, Shot On Halloween: Juvenile In Custody

CHICAGO — A 7-year-old girl who police are calling an unintended victim was shot in her neck while trick-or-treating on Halloween in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. Police said the girl was one of two people shot when a gunman opened fire around 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the 3700 block of West 26th Street. Late Friday morning, police said a person of interest had been identified in the "despicable shooting."

Police said a 31-year-old man also was shot in his left hand and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in stable condition. The girl was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound in her lower neck.

Authorities said there is no relationship between the two victims. Both were on the sidewalk walking east as a male shooter on the south side of 26th Street began firing, police said initially. Later, Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said multiple shooters opened fire before the victims were hit.

Guglielmi called the shooting senseless, saying the girl was out with her family for Halloween when she was shot. The girl was dressed in a bumblebee costume, according to the Chicago Tribune.

On Friday, Guglielmi said police had recovered a gun believed to have been used in the shooting. He said a juvenile suspect is in custody and is being questioned by detectives.

Guglielmi said investigators are working to identify others who may have been involved in the shooting, and asked residents to keep information coming as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call Chicago police or submit a tip online.