CHICAGO (WLS) — An 11-year-old boy was shot after a traffic crash on the Northwest Side Friday morning, Chicago police said.
The incident occurred at about 8:27 a.m. in the 1400-block of North Western Avenue.
The boy, Tayveon Jackson, was later released from the hospital Friday evening and spoke with ABC7.
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Police said two vehicles were involved in a minor crash. When one of the drivers attempted to exchange information, police said the driver of the other vehicle took out a gun and began firing at the other driver’s vehicle.
Jackson, who was a passenger in the vehicle was wounded in the left hand and transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said. He is now home with his family.
“I was nervous because I never thought this was going to happen,” Jackson said.
The boy and his two siblings were on their way to school with their grandfather this morning when a minor traffic accident turned into a shooting.
I was trying to make sure my brother and them were all safe… I broke two of my bones in my thumb.
“My papa made a turn and the man he was speeding… granddad hit his car… it was a small dent and the man just got out and started shooting,” Jackson said.
Screenshots from a nearby security camera showed the alleged gunman during the attack.
“I heard maybe five or six shots, and then briefly after, tires screeching,” nearby resident Rachel Gurnea said.
The 11-year-old boy reacted within seconds to shield his siblings from the gunfire, while a bullet went right through his hand.
“I was trying to make sure my brother and them were all safe,” Jackson said. “I broke two of my bones in my thumb down here … that’s it.”
The injuries he suffered will now sideline him from some of his favorite hobbies.
“I play basketball and football and I like to play my game, but I can’t no more,” Jackson said. “I’m like frustrated.”
We can’t understand why a minor incident, an accident turned into someone just shooting for no reason.
The family is thankful Jackson only suffered minor injuries, but they’re now hoping the gunman will be arrested.
“He’s in a lot of pain,” the victim’s uncle said. “He’s traumatized. He can’t believe he’s been shot.”
The shooting happened just steps from a neighborhood school.
“It’s unfortunate,” said Adrian Rodriguez with Puerto Rican Cultural Center Violence Prevention. “We attend the schools at dismissal to make sure dismissal is safe, but now we understand the morning are a problem or could be problem potentially.”
Neither of the boy’s siblings were hurt in the attack. As the victim continues his recovery, the family is pleading for an end to gun violence across Chicago.
“It’s just a troubling time right now,” the uncle said. “We can’t understand why a minor incident, an accident turned into someone just shooting for no reason.”
Jackson said he’s excited to get back to school after having to miss classes Friday.
The suspect fled the scene and is not in custody, police said. Area Five detectives are investigating.
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