3-Year-Old Girl Critically Injured by Stray Bullet After Fourth of July Fireworks in Chicago
July 6, 2025 — Chicago, IL
A 3-year-old girl is fighting for her life after being struck by a stray bullet late Thursday night, moments after she and her family had finished watching a Fourth of July fireworks display. The heart-wrenching incident unfolded in a residential neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, transforming a night of celebration into one of terror and tragedy.
According to the Chicago Police Department, the shooting occurred just after 10:15 p.m. near the intersection of 76th Street and South Rhodes Avenue. The young girl had been walking hand-in-hand with her mother and older brother on their way home from a nearby park where families had gathered to enjoy the annual fireworks show. Laughter, music, and the crackle of fireworks still filled the air when, without warning, gunshots rang out from a nearby street.
Witnesses say the shots appeared to come from a moving vehicle, and though it remains unclear who the intended target was, the little girl was not involved in any altercation. She was struck once in the abdomen by a stray bullet and collapsed into her mother’s arms. Her family frantically screamed for help as bystanders rushed to offer aid and called 911.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene within minutes and quickly transported the girl to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. As of Saturday morning, hospital officials confirmed she remains in critical but stable condition.
“She’s just 3 years old,” said a family member outside the hospital, visibly shaken. “She was just excited about the fireworks, waving her little flag. And now she’s in a hospital bed because of a bullet that wasn’t even meant for her.”
Chicago police have launched a full-scale investigation into the shooting and are urging anyone who was in the area or has surveillance footage to come forward. Detectives believe the shooting may be connected to a dispute between rival groups, but no suspects have been identified or arrested as of yet.
“This child and her family were simply celebrating our nation’s independence, like so many others across this city,” said Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling. “Now she’s clinging to life in a hospital bed because of the reckless, heartless actions of someone who chose to fire a gun in a residential neighborhood. We will not rest until we find who did this.”
The tragic shooting has reignited debate and outrage over gun violence in Chicago, particularly the toll it takes on children and families who often become unintended victims. In just the past month, multiple incidents have been reported where stray bullets struck bystanders, including children playing outside or sitting in cars.
Community activists and city leaders held a press conference near the scene of the shooting on Friday afternoon, where they pleaded for cooperation with law enforcement and demanded action from city and state officials.
“This should not be normal,” said activist Darnell Perkins of South Side Peace Watch. “A baby was shot walking home with her mom. If that doesn’t break your heart and fuel your outrage, something’s wrong. We have to do more than pray and light candles — we need accountability, investment, and real change.”
City Council members and community organizations have already begun organizing outreach events and emergency meetings focused on youth safety, gun control enforcement, and trauma support for families affected by gun violence. Neighbors say they want to turn their grief into momentum for reform.
Meanwhile, the family of the 3-year-old girl is asking for privacy as they remain by her bedside, praying for her recovery. A GoFundMe page has been created to help with medical expenses and emotional support services, which the family says will be needed long after the initial crisis has passed.
“She’s strong,” said her aunt. “She’s a fighter. But she shouldn’t have to fight for her life because someone couldn’t keep their finger off the trigger.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the Chicago Police Department’s tip line or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously. A reward may be offered for information leading to an arrest.
As the city continues to celebrate what should be a joyful holiday weekend, the echo of gunfire lingers, leaving behind a wounded child, a devastated family, and a community once again shaken by senseless violence.