7-Year-Old Girl Fatally Stabbed by Stranger While Walking With Sister in Chicago

A 7-year-old girl was fatally stabbed by a woman she did not know while walking with her older sister on a sidewalk in Chicago's East Chatham neighborhood on Saturday, Oct. 3.

The Chicago Police Department said the attack occurred at about 11:55 a.m. on South Cottage Grove Avenue near 86th Street. According to police, the woman approached the child and stabbed her multiple times in the back with a sharp object. The girl was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Bystanders detained the female suspect at the scene until officers arrived. Video obtained by NBC Chicago shows people chasing the suspect while carrying what appear to be jumper cables; witnesses described a chaotic response in which bystanders subdued the woman. The suspect was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is now in police custody. Authorities have not released her name.

The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Edi Mari Hernandez Chacon, local outlets reported. Family members told WGN 9 that she had been walking with her older sister when the attack occurred.

Chicago police car (stock image)Credit: Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty

"I noticed there was a little girl laying on the ground. There was people standing over her," witness William Smith, who works at a nearby barbershop, told WGN 9. "I heard a young lady, or somebody, say, 'That's the lady. She did it. She's running.'"

Another witness described the scene to WGN 9, saying that one bystander struck the suspect with jumper cables until she fell, after which others restrained her. Witnesses told NBC Chicago the situation felt chaotic and tragic for the neighborhood.

"It's terrible. Our babies are losing their lives younger and younger for senseless violence every day," witness Stephanie Johnigan told NBC Chicago.

Nearby resident Denesta Freeman told ABC 7 Chicago, "For a 7-year-old like that to be getting stabbed, I never thought it would come to this point. These kids nowadays are not getting to live their life."

Hours after the attack, Alderman Michelle A. Harris posted on Facebook, expressing sorrow and gratitude. "I am deeply saddened by the senseless stabbing of a 7 year old child in our neighborhood. My heart goes out to her family, friends, and everyone who is affected by this horrific incident. No child should ever have to experience violence or fear while simply walking down the sidewalk," she wrote. Harris also thanked the bystanders who intervened, saying their quick actions "may have prevented further harm."

Chicago police are asking anyone with information about the attack to contact the department. The investigation is ongoing.