Authorities identified the 7-year-old girl who died after she was stabbed several times while walking on a sidewalk in Chicago on Saturday.
Cook County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Eddimar Paola Hernández Chacón hours after she was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The incident occurred around 11:55 a.m. on Saturday on South Cottage Grove Avenue near East 86th Street in the city’s East Chatham neighborhood. The girl was walking down the sidewalk when a woman who did not know her approached her and stabbed her in the back multiple times, police said.
In surveillance video obtained by NBC Chicago, witnesses could be seen rushing over to what is assumed to be the area where the young girl was attacked.
Surveillance video obtained by NBC Chicago shows people rush to help a 7-year-old girl who was stabbed to death and detain the suspect.
Several witnesses could also be seen running away from the scene to chase down the suspect. Police said the bystanders detained the woman, and she was later taken into custody after receiving treatment at a local hospital for injuries she sustained while being detained.
It was not immediately known what, if anything, prompted 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 was killed. “My heart goes out to her family, friends, and everyone who is affected by this horrific incident. No child should ever have to experience violence or fear while simply walking down the sidewalk.”
The alderwoman also said she wanted to “recognize and thank the bystanders who quickly intervened—helping to detain the suspect and get assistance on the way. Their quick actions may have prevented further harm.”
No additional information was immediately available.