Chicago Police Flood Little Village After Girl, 8, Fatally Shot

CHICAGO — Police Supt. David Brown announced plans to flood the Little Village neighborhood with officers following the fatal shooting of 8-year-old Melissa Ortega over the weekend.

"It’s just unspeakable to lose the life of an 8-year-old, a little girl, under these circumstances or any circumstances for that matter. And we owe it to Melissa and her family and the city to hold every person involved accountable," Brown said at a Monday news conference.

Melissa was shot in the head Saturday afternoon while walking with her mother in the 3900 block of West 26th Street. The 8-year-old, who moved to Chicago from Mexico with her mom last year and attended Emiliano Zapata Academy, was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. A GoFundMe page established to help pay for funeral expenses had nearly tripled its $20,000 fundraising goal Monday.

The shooter, who has evaded police custody, was allegedly aiming for a 26-year man who exited a store near Melissa and her mother, police said. The target of the shooting was critically wounded and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital.

On Monday, Brown said witnesses have come forward to aid the police investigation, but declined to give details as detectives pursue justice. At an unrelated news conference, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said investigators searching for the shooter have "promising leads."

"The Little Village community has really stood up and rallied to wrap its arms around the Ortega family and really help with every conceivable need. ... I’ve been following the investigation very closely. I can’t get into a lot of specific details, but I can tell you ... there are some promising leads and I hope that we’ll have a more substantive announcement soon." Lightfoot said.

Authorities asked that anyone who has with information about the fatal shooting can leave anonymous tips at (833) 408-0069. Anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest or conviction could receive a $15,000 reward.