A seven-year-old girl was stabbed to death in broad daylight as she walked down a street in Chicago's South Side Chatham neighborhood. Edimari Hernandez Chacon was walking just after midday when a woman she did not know ran up behind her and attacked her, stabbing her numerous times in the back.
The attack was captured on CCTV, which shows the girl walking hand in hand with an adult when the stranger struck. Shocked onlookers can be seen running to the girl's aid in the footage as others called emergency services.
Emergency response and hospital
Police and ambulance crews arrived at the scene and rushed the girl to a nearby children's hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
The alleged attacker, who has not been identified, was detained by bystanders until police arrived. She was checked over by paramedics and later taken into custody after receiving treatment at a local hospital for injuries sustained while being detained by those nearby.
Community reaction
The attack is believed to have been unprovoked and has sent shockwaves through the area. Resident Denesta Freeman told local news station WLS: “I just don’t know what this world is coming to … for a 7-year-old girl like that to be getting stabbed.”
Another woman, who asked not to be identified, added: “I never thought it would come to this point. I never did. These kids nowadays are not getting to live their lives. As a mom, I feel hurt. Because my daughter is the same age. I feel hurt. I feel like it was my child.”
Local officials speak out
Alderwoman Michelle Harris said she was “deeply saddened by the senseless stabbing” in her neighbourhood.
