A man sprinted after a Calumet Heights woman and knocked her unconscious after she allegedly fatally stabbed a 7-year-old girl in an apparently unprovoked attack Saturday in Chatham.
A large, angry crowd formed around Edi Mari Hernandez Chacon, as she lay bleeding on a sidewalk after Shavon Gayden, 48, allegedley stabbed her while she was walking with her sister in the 8600 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue just before noon, according to police and scanner traffic.
"The offender approached from the south and, unprovoked, produced a knife and began stabbing the victim," according to a Chicago police report obtained by the Sun-Times.
"The offender then continued northbound where unknown citizens attempted to restrain the offender before the arrival of police," the report said.
When Gayden walked away, a man in the throng sprinted after her, knocking her unconscious by hitting her, dispatchers said as the chaotic and heartbreaking scene unfolded.
After she was attacked, a group of shocked and angry onlookers swelled, encircling the girl as officers made it through to her, according to dispatchers who repeatedly called for more officers at the scene.
"Where's that ambo!" one officer tensely demanded of a dispatcher as other officers staunched her bleeding by lifting the child's head. "She's still breathing'' another officer told a dispatcher.
Officers yelled out the best way for the ambulance to get there and one arrived in about ten minutes. Police stood guard and blocked traffic so that the ambulance could make its way to the hospital.
Police escorted the ambulance -- one squad car in front and one squad in back -- to Comer Children's Hospital.
Edi Mari was pronounced dead at 1:01 p.m. Saturday, according to police.
A fundraiser launched for Edi Mari has raised over $1,700 as of Monday morning.
Chicago police announced charges against Gayden, one count of first-degree murder, hours after Edi Mari's loved ones held a vigil Sunday afternoon to honor the young girl's life.
Family, friends and community members gathered in the spot where Edi Mari was killed. The gir's family members, dressed in black and white, released white balloons, lit candles and scattered candy at the spot where Gayden attacked the child Saturday morning. The girl’s loved ones shed tears and embraced each other as they circled around the candles.
Edi Mari’s family declined to speak to a Sun-Times reporter.
“It’s really sad,” said Michelle Clark, who attended the vigil to show support for the family. “I’m a mother, and I can’t imagine the pain they must be going through.”
Bystanders who witnessed the stabbing intervened and detained the woman, police said.
Gayden suffered injuries during the scuffle with bystanders, and she was transported to the hospital before being taken into police custody.
Clark said she had seen Gayden several times at a nearby train station and cannot understand what may have led her to attack a young girl.
“We need to protect children,” she said. “They deserve to be safe walking down the street.”
Gayden is expected to appear in court Monday for a detention hearing.
“I am deeply saddened by the senseless stabbing of a 7-year-old child in our neighborhood,” Ald. Michelle Harris said in a statement. “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.”
