14 DAY TRIAL // A Chicago man and his 6-month-old baby have been shot in Chicago on Monday, March 11.
NBC News reports that Jonathan Watkins was changing the diaper of his daughter, Johnylah, on the front seat of his car when the shots were fired.
“The baby is in surgery. She isn't nothing but six months old,” Johnylah's grandmother described yesterday. Since then, NBC Bay Area has informed that the little girl has died in hospital care.
28-year-old Watkins is fighting for his life at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and is currently in critical condition.
He has been affiliated to local gangs, and the child's mother has also been shot while she was still pregnant. Judy Young took a bullet to the knee before the baby was born.
According to witness accounts, the shooting occurred at 12:45 p.m. in the 6500 block of South Maryland Avenue. Around ten shots were fired, with five of the bullets hitting the baby.
“I just heard like a lot of shots and skid marks, so that's when I ran to the corner.
“There is always gunshots and crime in the neighborhood, always drug activity in the neighborhood.
“It's heartbreaking. We're looking for a place to move out immediately because that could have easily been me coming from the bus,” describes Patricia McGowan who lives nearby.
Police have yet to identify the assailant, who left the scene in a blue conversion van. Chicago Pastor Corey Brooks has put up a $5,000 (€3,800) reward, for anyone who can provide information on the shooter.
“The city of Chicago should be outraged that a 6-month-old baby could be shot and killed in our city. [...] It's horrific,” he says.