Girl critically wounded in Austin shooting

Police tape blocks the street as officers investigate the shooting of a 3-year-old girl Saturday in the 100 block of North Latrobe. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

The girl was taken to Stroger Hospital for treatment after being shot in the 100 block of North Latrobe, according to Chicago Fire officials.

A child was shot Saturday evening in Austin on the West Side.

The girl was shot in the head shortly after 7 p.m. as she stood on the sidewalk in the 100 block of North Latrobe, according to Chicago police, who said at least two shooters got out of a light-colored car and opened fire in her direction.

Chicago fire officials said the girl was 3-years-old and had been taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.

Police listed the girl’s age as 7.

A steady stream of fireworks cracked in the distance, while residents of the block sat on their porches, watching police officers work.

Dozens of shell casings littered the street.

A block over, a group could be heard singing “Happy Birthday” to another child.

The shooting marked the third weekend in a row in which a child under the age of 10 was shot in the city.

Last Saturday, 1-year-old Sincere A. Gaston was killed when someone opened fire on his mother’s car as they drove home from a laundromat in Englewood.

A week before that, 3-year-old Mekhi James was fatally shot while riding in an SUV with his father in Austin when someone opened fire on them from another vehicle.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.

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