Community outcry following fatal shooting of 7-year-old boy on Near West Side

Andrea Medina and Alonzo Small

3 mins ago

CHICAGO — Outrage and grievance on Chicago's Near West Side on Wednesday, as community members called for help tracking down the gunman who shot and killed a 7-year-old boy as he left his home to meet a relative.

One day after Chicago gun violence claimed the life of Jai'mani Amir Rivera, those who loved him or those touched by his story came together to remember his life. Mourners held a balloon release outside the gated apartment complex where he was gunned down.

“I love my nephew, and the person who took my nephew's life is going to pay for this,” said Jai'mani's aunt, Vanessa Rivera.

The vigil came after family members on Wednesday remembered Jai'mani as a kid who loved football and playing video games.

“That's all he talked about was football and how he was going to tackle the boys and just run them down,” Jai'mani's aunt, Daniella, told reporters. “Before it happened to him, he was playing a game and my mom called him down for something.”

Family members say they never imagined Jai'mani's dash to meet his grandmother would cost him his life.

“He told his stepdad, 'Don't touch the game. I'll be right back. Please don't touch my game,'” Daniella recalled. “He never came back.”

Around 3 pm Tuesday, June 18, Chicago police officers responded to the Oakley Square Apartments on Jackson Boulevard and found the 7-year-old with a gunshot wound to the chest. Police attempted life-saving measures and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he later passed.

Salesha Peterson, with the gun violence prevention group Hug a Child Make a Change, once called the Oakley Square Apartments home. She and other community members say they are outraged following the latest casualty, calling out the person(s) responsible to take accountability.

“You killed a 7-year-old baby,” Peterson said. “You destroyed an entire family.”

Mentioned in the aftermath of the shooting was how residents did not feel safe despite living in a gated community. Among the reoccurring concerns were stray bullets.

“We've asked if they can put up a wall or put something so no one can see it,” one resident said. “They say they don’t have funding for that.”

Community members now hope the unfortunate shooting death of a 7-year-old boy, whose life was cut short by what police described as 'random gunfire,' sparks change.

“This cannot go unnoticed,” Peterson said. “There has to be justice brought for Jai’Mani.”

A peace march is planned for Friday afternoon near Jackson and Western. No one is in custody, but a reward of up to $15,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest.