Chicago residents are mourning the death of an 8-year-old girl killed by a stray bullet as she walked with her mother, ABC Chicago reports. Melissa Ortega had arrived from Mexico in August and was attending Zapata Academy. Both the girl and a 26-year-old man, who police say was the intended target, were taken to the hospital in critical condition. At a memorial for Ortega, strangers stop by with candles and flowers.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot expressed condolences and asked for anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. There is a reward of up to $15,000. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, who represents the Little Village area where the shooting took place, said he is outraged by the killing. He he wonders how long it will be until Little Village changes course from its high rates of gun violence. "Fear and violence, guns and gangs have no place in this city, and it will take all of us working together to stop it," said Police Superintendent David Brown said.