CHICAGO, IL — A 16-year-old girl lost her life, and a man was wounded in a shooting that occurred late Friday night, July 4, on Chicago’s South Side. According to Chicago police, the gunfire broke out just before 11 p.m. in the 1200 block of East 83rd Street, located in the city’s Chatham neighborhood. Authorities said a man approached the victims on foot and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Emergency crews rushed both victims to Jackson Park Hospital. The teenage girl, who was shot in the throat, was later identified as Meeyah Smith by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Sadly, she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Her death marks another tragic loss in a city struggling with ongoing gun violence, especially among youth.
The second victim, a 35-year-old man, sustained a gunshot wound to his right thigh. He survived the attack and was listed in good condition following medical treatment. Authorities have not shared details about the relationship between the two victims or whether they were intentionally targeted. As of Saturday, no arrests have been made in connection to the deadly shooting.
Chicago Police Department’s Area Two detectives are leading the investigation and are working to determine what led up to the violence. Investigators are reviewing nearby surveillance footage and asking for witnesses to come forward. So far, police have not released information about a possible motive or description of the shooter.
The death of Meeyah Smith has devastated her family and shocked the local community. Friends, neighbors, and classmates have begun expressing their grief and anger over the tragic loss. Vigils and tributes are being planned to honor her memory and to bring attention to the impact of gun violence on young lives. Community leaders are calling for peace and justice as they push for solutions to the violence plaguing their neighborhoods.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Area Two detectives or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Authorities hope public cooperation will help identify the shooter and bring closure to Meeyah’s loved ones. The investigation remains ongoing, and updates will be released as more details become available.