A 3-year-old boy was wounded on Chicago's South Side Monday night.

By John Garcia
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 3-year-old boy was wounded on Chicago's South Side Monday night.
He was with his mother when shots were fired. He was hit in the shoulder.
He was shot just after 6 p.m. near 77th and May in Chicago's Gresham neighborhood.
The bullet entered near his shoulder and exited without causing any major damage. But the police say this is another example of the random violence that continues to plague the city. Police say 3-year-old Marshaun Williams was standing outside with his parents when gunfire erupted. Witnesses said they heard as many as a dozen shots. One struck the boy near the shoulder blade.
"The children were out playing on a hot day. The mom was out here, too. All of a sudden gunfire erupted," said Andrew Holmes, family friend.
Chicago police performed roll call in the neighborhood shortly after the shooting, sending a message they plan to crackdown on such violence. They believe the shooting may have been gang related. But the 3-year-old victim clearly was not the intended target.
"We're trying to get the guns off the street. There are too many weapons on the street in the hands of the wrong people," said Commander Eddie Johnson, Chicago Police.
Neighbors say it was a very dangerous situation. There were a lot of children outside when the shooting began.
"I have a 2-year old. She was out here five minutes before. And I have a newborn; it could have been my baby," said Tanya Williams, neighbor.
Marshaun waited in the hospital, but the family is encouraged that while he was in a lot of pain, he was conscious and talking.
"The baby, he was in good spirits when they took him. He really was," said Michelle Sellers, witness.
And the police have taken at least four people in for questioning. They declined to call any suspects.
Marshaun's mother is pregnant and receiving medical attention as well. She wasn't physically injured by the shooting.
Marshawn is in good condition and could go home today.


This is really sad that this innocent 3-year-old boy got caught up in the violence that is being a huge issue in Chicago. I feel terrible that he now has to deal with this injury, and that he was just being a good kid and playing outside when this happened. I think that something really needs to be done about this guns & violence issue that's been erupting lately in Chicago. It is becoming a bigger and bigger problem and I think that more police should be out patrolling the streets there, as well as a crackdown on guns being sold. Haven't enough young and innocent children been injured & killed by gunfire and violence?