Two Teens Charged In Shooting Death Of 6-Year-Old
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two people have been charged in the shooting death of a 6-year-old girl in the Little Village neighborhood.
CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports Aliyah Shell was playing outside her home in the 3100 block of South Springfield Avenue on Saturday, when a pickup truck approached the house at about 3:35 p.m., and the occupants began shooting. Police said the truck stopped in the street and someone got out and fired four shots, hitting the girl twice.
Aliyah was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital at 5:24 p.m.
Two suspects were arrested Saturday night.
On Sunday, police said 18-year-old Juan Barraza was charged with one count of murder and two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm.
A 16-year-old male also was charged with one count of murder and two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to police. The 16-year-old already had an outstanding arrest warrant.
On Sunday, friends and relatives stopped by Aliyah's home, with balloons and stuffed animals.
She was making chalk drawings on the sidewalk outside her home when she was shot.
Police said she was shot twice in the spray of bullets aimed at her home.
Her death shook the Little Village neighborhood to its core.
Neighbor Ray Navarro said, "I'm sure all the parents, they're a little more wary now about letting their kids out."
A grieving 13-year-old girl, who is a family friend, said, "she was too young to do that, it wasn't her fault."
Neighbor Cristina Romo said she shared the teen's grief.
"When you're looking and you're hearing a young child, a 13-year-old, saying what she just said about this little girl, it's very touching. I mean … that wasn't programmed. That was actually her heart speaking, and this is what the community feels: sadness."
Sources said the back alley on that block is a spot for drug sales. Investigators were back on the scene Sunday, as an obviously shaken family came to terms with Aliyah's death.
Navarro said there is a message for all of us in her death.
"This is what the politicians should focus on, instead of promising lower taxes and lowering the gas and stopping pornography. You know what? I'll pay the taxes. I'll pay the high gas prices, but focus on this violence that's killing these kids," he said.
Police said a handgun was recovered from the shooting. It was not immediately clear who was the intended target of the shooting.
