6-Month-Old Shot, Dies in Gang-Related Incident in Chicago (VIDEO)
A 6-month-old suffering from multiple shot wounds in Chicago passed away Tuesday from what police believe to be a gang related attack.
Jonylah Watkins died at Comer Children's Hospital after being shot five times on Monday while her father attempted to change her diaper. Doctors performed surgery on Jonylah, but she was unable to recover from her injuries.
"This morning, the baby passed away," Rev. Corey Brooks, who's acting as a spokesman for the family, told The Chicago Tribune. "We have another tragedy in the city of Chicago."
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Her father, Jonathan Watkins, is in stable condition, according to reports. He was shot in the side and buttocks; a bullet also grazed his face.
Watkins was standing on the passenger side of his minivan and attempting to change the baby's diaper when the gunman approached, witnesses told police. The man fired several shots at around 1 p.m. in the Woodlawn neighborhood, according to Fox, before leaving the scene.
"The city of Chicago should be outraged that a 6-month-old baby could be shot and killed in our city," Brooks said. "It's horrific."
Police believe the father, who has an "extensive criminal history," according to NBC, was the target in the crime. It was also noted that the case held "very strong gang overtones."
"This is another tragedy, because no child, certainly not an infant, should be a victim of gun violence," Police Supt. Garry McCarthy told reporters Tuesday.
A second report stated that Jonylah's mother, Judy Young, had previously been attacked while she was carrying the infant. The incident occurred seven months ago while Young was still pregnant, according to NBC.
"We're going to find who did this and make sure they are brought to justice," McCarthy added. "We're not going to be afraid. We're going to take back our neighborhood."
McCarthy assured the public that progress was being made in the case.
"This is a sobering reality we have a lot of work to do even though we're making progress," he said.
