On Saturday, an 8-year-old girl was fatally shot after trying to flee from gunfire with her mother.
Melissa Ortega, a third-grader, was walking with her mother in Chicago in the Little Village neighborhood. As they were going down the street, a shooter opened fire on a suspected gang member.
According to reports, Melissa was shot in the head as she and her mother were running in the direction of a bank.
She was transported to a medical facility where she passed away.
The intended target of the shooting was shot twice in the back and was listed in critical condition.
At the scene, over 13 9mm shell casings, one fired bullet, and two bullet fragments were found.
A GoFundMe page has noted that Melissa and her mother had just moved to Chicago from Mexico in August.
“They both were excited to start a new life in Chicago and build their American Dream,” the post stated.
An investigation into the matter is continuing.
