Natalia Chi
A 9-year-old boy was shot dead Thursday following a brawl between teenagers outside Mattson’s home, police said Friday.
Police Chief Michael Jones said he received a call at 6:06 p.m. Thursday from a woman who said her grandson had been shot outside her 800 block home on Campus Avenue. When police arrived, Jones said, they treated her by wrapping her wound in clotted gauze and placing a compact sticker over her chest.
The boy, Omuiri Jones Brown, was taken to hospital where he died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, Jones said.
“We are heartbroken. We are all heartbroken here in Mattson village,” said village chief Sheila Chalmers Karin. “Our heartfelt condolences to this family. We will do everything in our power to resolve this family.”
Brown was in the third grade at Arcadia Elementary School in Olympia Fields, according to a statement from Mattson Elementary School District 162 Superintendent Blondeen Y. Davis. The district sent social workers, counselors and psychologists to schools on Friday to meet with students, teachers, staff and parents in need.
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The team will be back in action as long as needed after school resumes on Tuesday, Davis said.
“We will keep this beautiful young child, her family, classmates, friends and teachers in our hearts, thoughts and prayers,” she said.
Mr Jones said police were called by a 20-year-old boy who was taken to St James’ Hospital in Olympia Fields after a non-life-threatening gunshot during a brawl in Mattson, as Brown was in the hospital. said he received it.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 20-year-old boy and Brown were shot dead after two groups of teenagers had the same fight outside their Campus Avenue home, Jones said. .
“This incident is tragic and heartbreaking for Omuiri’s family, our community and everyone involved,” Jones said. “We extend our condolences to the bereaved family and will do everything in our power to find peace for everyone involved.”
The Matheson Police Department is working with the Southern Suburban Serious Crimes Unit and the Cook County Coroner’s Office to investigate, Jones said.
Police are asking anyone with information to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 708-503-3130.
