7-year-old girl stabbed to death on Chicago sidewalk identified by authorities – NBC Chicago

Authorities have identified the 7-year-old girl who died after being stabbed multiple times while walking on a sidewalk in Chicago on Saturday.

The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Eddimar Paola Hernández Chacón hours after he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The incident happened around 11:55 a.m. Saturday on South Cottage Grove Avenue near East 86th Street in the city’s East Chatham neighborhood. The girl was walking on the sidewalk when a woman who did not know her approached her and stabbed her in the back several times, police said.

In surveillance video obtained by NBC Chicago, witnesses could be seen rushing toward what is believed to be the area where the girl was attacked.

Surveillance video obtained by NBC Chicago shows people rushing to help a 7-year-old girl who was stabbed to death and arrest the suspect.

Several witnesses could also be seen fleeing the scene to pursue the suspect. Police said bystanders stopped the woman and she was then taken into custody after being treated at a local hospital for injuries she suffered while in custody.

It was not immediately clear what motivated the attack.

“I am deeply saddened by the senseless stabbing of a 7-year-old child in our neighborhood,” Alderwoman Michelle Harris said in a statement hours after the girl’s murder. “My heart goes out to his family, friends and everyone affected by this horrific incident. No child should ever have to experience violence or fear by simply walking down the sidewalk.”

The alderman also said she wanted to “acknowledge and thank the bystanders who quickly intervened, helping to arrest the suspect and getting help along the way. Their quick actions could have prevented further damage.”

No additional information was immediately available.