Church, Family Ask Gov For 'State Of Emergency' After Shooting

CHICAGO — A 14-year-old girl shot just outside Wendell Phillips Career Academy in the South Side neighborhood of Bronzeville on Tuesday is expected to make a full recovery, the girl's family said at a press conference.

According to police, a shooter waited outside for classes to be done at the high school and began shooting once a security guard opened the door for students to leave the building. The teenager was struck twice with bullets that ripped through the school door, the girl's grandmother, Johneece Cobb, said.

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A 46-year-old security guard was also shot multiple times in the arm and was taken to University of Chicago Hospital in serious condition.

Cobb joined other community leaders outside of St. Sabina Church Wednesday to provide an update on her granddaughter, and to call for the shooter to turn themselves in.

"It's babies killing babies," Cobb said. The woman said she does not know who the shooter is but has a "feeling" it is someone her granddaughter's age based on previous gun violence in the neighborhood.

Pastor Michael Pfleger also spoke to reporters Wednesday, calling on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to declare a state of emergency as gun violence continues to claim young children in the city.

St. Sabina's violence prevention program started an online petition to show Pritzker the community's support for the state stepping in. In addition, the church is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone with information leading to an arrest in connection with the shooting.

Cobb said she'd like to help the individual who shot her granddaughter.

She said she was at a graveyard memorial for her nephew, Edwin Cook, who was shot and killed in 2015, when she heard about the shooting at her granddaughter's school. As horrifying as the news was to hear, Cobb said, she is grateful her granddaughter will be able to see another birthday, unlike many other victims of gun violence.

"Her 15th birthday is next Tuesday, and I'm just glad she'll be able to celebrate it," Cobb said.

Pfleger did not detail a specific plan or amount of state money he thinks the community needs, but called for more funding for violence prevention programs and a "strategic plan" to address the issue.