Third Grade Girl Shot In EC In Critical Condition After Automatic Gunfire Hits House
UPDATE – According to East Chicago Deputy Chief Jose Rivera, the 8 year old girl has passed away Wednesday morning. Rivera urges anyone with any information or who seen any small detail to contact the police. The ATF has added a $5,000 reward to this case and now East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland has added his own $5,000 reward.
On October 22, 2020 at approximately 10:01pm patrol officers were dispatched to the area of 4511 Magoun Avenue in reference to numerous shots fired in the area, according to Deputy Chief Jose Rivera of the East Chicago Police.
EC Shotspotter system alerted officers that 16 rounds were fired from an automatic weapon in the area of 4522 Magoun Avenue. Officers proceeded to that location and while enroute they were advised by dispatch that an 8 year old child was shot inside her home at 4511 Magoun Avenue, Rivera said. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with the mother of the child inside the residence. Officers observed the 8 year old female lying on the floor in the living room bleeding from the head, Rivera said. Medics arrived on scene and transported the 8 year old child to St. Catherine’s Hospital where E.R. Doctors were able to stabilize the child. She was then transported to Comers Children Hospital in critical condition.
Our preliminary investigation indicates that an unknown subject began shooting outside of 4522 Magoun Avenue. A stray bullet then penetrated the siding on the north side of the house of 4511 Magoun Avenue and struck the 8 year old child in the head while she was sitting in the living room doing her homework. Police do not believe the child was the intended target.
“Any time a child is the victim of senseless gun violence it affects and saddens us all,” Rivera said. “Thoughts, prayers and caring emojis on social media will not bring the shooter to justice,” Rivera stressed. “We need witnesses to come forward and cooperate with our Detectives. We can’t allow these cowardly thugs to randomly open fire in our community with impunity,” Rivera said. “Our department will use all the resources we have available to help us catch the shooter and any person involved in today’s shooting.”
We are encouraging anyone with any information to call our anonymous tip line at 219-391-8500.
Detectives are currently canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and leads. Anyone with any information can also contact our Detective Bureau at 219-391-8318. Detective Miguel Pena is the lead Detective on this case and can also be reached at mpena@eastchicago.com.
