8-year-old boy wounded in apparent accidental shooting on SW Side, police say

Back of an ambulance with doors open
Back of an ambulance with doors open Photo credit Getty Images

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Police are investigating what appears to be the accidental shooting of a child Thursday night in the Ashburn neighborhood on the South Side.

The shooter called 911 to report the incident that happened shortly before 6 p.m., in a home near 86th and Hamlin.

Initial police reports were that a man shot his 8-year-old nephew in the chest.

Karla Santiago and other neighbors told CBS News Chicago the boy was alert when paramedics took him to the hospital.

“He was taken out into an ambulance,” Santiago said. “We really hope that the boy is ok, but we really hope that the family is doing ok as well.”

Police said they recovered a weapon and took a person of interest into custody.

Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images