Dozens of loved ones gathered Tuesday evening on the Near North Side to remember Erica Gibson, a 12-year-old girl who was shot to death over the weekend in.
No Charges To Be Filed In 12-Year-Old Erica Gibson's Death - Homewood-Flossmoor, IL - "The investigation shows this to be another case of young people having access to an unsecured weapon in a home that had a tragic accident."
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Dozens of loved ones gathered Tuesday evening on the Near North Side to remember Erica Gibson, a 12-year-old girl who was shot to death over the weekend in south suburban Hazel Crest.
Blue and purple balloons were released in front of the Cambridge Street row houses where much of the family lives. “She’s a dancing doll, and we’re going to continue to dance for her,” Erica’s aunt Samyra McDonald.
Erica’s closest cousin, Tykeena McDonald, 14, said the two were always dancing together and had been preparing for an upcoming competition.
“We both couldn’t wait,” Tykeena said. “Now I’m going to have to dance the competition without her, and I wish she could be there with me, just sitting on the bus with me. Hopefully, we win it for her.”
Erica, who was from the Gresham neighborhood in Chicago, had been shot in the head and was taken to South Suburban Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 10:53 p.m., police said.
An autopsy ruled her death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said. But the police department’s investigation and a legal review by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office determined no criminal charges will be filed against the juvenile involved, Davis said.
“At this time, the investigation shows this to be another case of young people having access to an unsecured weapon in a home that had a tragic ending,” Davis said.
Published May 9, 2021 •
Updated on May 9, 2021 at 9:14 pm
A 12-year-old girl from Gresham on the South Side was killed in a shooting Saturday in suburban Hazel Crest.
The incident happened about 10 p.m. in the 17600 block of Arlington Lane, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Don t miss local breaking news and weather! Download our mobile app for iOS or Android and sign up for alerts.
Erica Gibson suffered a gunshot wound to her head and was pronounced dead at 10:53 p.m., the medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy ruled her death a homicide.
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