Tragic Shooting Claims Life of 7-Year-Old Boy named Jaimaniamir Rivera in Chicago
In a sad incident that highlights the ongoing problem of gun violence in Chicago, a 7-year-old boy named Jaimaniamir Rivera was killed by a stray bullet on the Near West Side.
The shooting happened at the Oakley Square Apartments, a gated community on West Jackson Boulevard, around 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said officers quickly responded to a report of gunfire. When they arrived, they found Jaimaniamir with a gunshot wound to his chest.
The boy was leaving his home to visit a neighbor when he was hit by a bullet fired from a distance. Officers tried to stop the bleeding and rushed him to Stroger Hospital in their squad car. Sadly, he died at the hospital.
Jaimaniamir’s death left his family and the community in deep sorrow. Family members gathered outside the hospital, growing in number as more people came to support them.
Superintendent Snelling shared the city’s collective pain, saying, “It is unbearable and unacceptable for everyone in our city.”
Neighbors were shocked and angry. Ethiopia Jackson, a local resident, expressed her frustration, saying, “This is crazy. I mean, whoever did the shooting, you know you all just took somebody’s child, 7-year-old that didn’t even have anything to do with whatever’s going on over here.”
This tragic event is a reminder of the severe gun violence issue in Chicago. Over the past weekend, more than 70 people were shot, with nine dying from their injuries. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the violence, acknowledging the city’s deep grief and the urgent need for change.
“The grief in this city has become increasingly more unbearable. The ungodly behavior and the acts of violence that have plagued our city for so long have reached a breaking point in this city,” he said.
Superintendent Snelling also spoke out against the violence, noting that while the number of shootings is down compared to last year, even one shooting is too many.
“We really have to think about who we are as a society when our kids are being shot in the street,” he said. Snelling promised to seek justice for Jaimaniamir and all victims of gun violence.
His death is part of a worrying trend in Chicago. So far in 2024, 127 children have been victims of gun violence, and 17 of them have died. These numbers show a big problem that needs urgent action from both the community and the police.
After this tragedy, there is a strong call for action to stop gun violence in Chicago. The community, city leaders, and police must work together to make the city safer for children and families.
As Superintendent Snelling said, “We will not rest until we bring some justice to this case. And it’s not just this case. We’re seeing this happen all too often to our children.”
Read full article at: ABC 7 Chicago