(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Federal charges have been filed against a 16-year-old for the shooting death of a 7-year-old on the Near West Side earlier this week.
Police Supt. Larry Snelling announced that the teen, whose name has not been released, has been charged with first degree murder for the shooting of Jai’Mani Amir Rivera. He was taken into custody Thursday.
Investigators say the teen used an assault rifle in the shooting. Police have not figured out who the suspect was shooting at.
At the time of his arrest, the teen was wanted on two arrest warrants. The teen is scheduled to appear in court on Saturday.
Jai’Mani was shot in the chest on Tuesday afternoon when he was on his way to visit a neighbor.
These charges came just hours after the boy's family members joined neighbors and others to call for an end to violence in the city.
On a brutally hot afternoon, hundreds turned out to march to remember Jai’Mani near Jackson Boulevard and Western Avenue, not far from where the little boy was shot and killed.
Saleshea Peterson is a community activist, she said the boy's family and so many others are drowning in grief.
“They would just like peace, they would like to grieve what is going on. They are hurting mentally, physically and emotionally,” Peterson said.
“All these babies are hurting, all of them need mental health resources, counseling and things to help them get through this process.”
Ald. Walter Burnett (27th Ward) called for more support from the larger community.
“We need to continue to try to get the guns out of the kids' hands, and put something else in their hands, something positive and something constructive for the community.
“We consistently need more help from people in society to help contribute to programs that's going on in these communities.”
JaiMani's 10-year-old cousin Joel Rivera held up a photo of Jai’Mani, which showed the little boy with angel wings.
“My 7-year-old cousin Jai’Mani Amir Rivera was taken from us just at the age of seven. He had something to live for. He's only seven. He was just starting to sign a contract for football, but he was taken away.”
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