Person of interest in custody in connection to Near West Side killing of 7-year-old

The child was leaving their residence and going to visit a neighbor when he was struck by gunfire, believed to be random, Chicago police said

Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.

A person of interest is in custody in connection to the fatal shooting of a 7-year-old in Chicago's Near West Side neighborhood, Chicago police spokesperson Tom Ahern confirmed.

It is currently unknown if any charges are pending against the person of interest.

Jai'Mani Amir Rivera was leaving his family's Near West Side residence Tuesday afternoon when he was struck by gunfire. Police do not believe he was targeted.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, CPD Supt. Larry Snelling called gun violence in the city "unbearable and unacceptable" in the shooting's aftermath.

Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling during a press conference Tuesday called gun violence in the city "unbearable and unacceptable" after a 7-year-old child was fatally struck by gunfire on Chicago's Near West Side in broad daylight.

"The random shooting of this 7-year-old is unacceptable," Snelling said. "We really have to think about who we are as a society when our kids are being shot in the street."

Just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call of shots fired and a person shot in the 2300 block of West Jackson Boulevard, Snelling said. Upon arrival, officers found that a child had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was laying on the ground.

Officers performed life-saving measures on the child before he was transported in a police car to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner later identified the boy was identified as Jai'Mani Amir Rivera.

According to officials, the child was leaving their residence and going to visit a neighbor who lived nearby when he was struck by gunfire.

"We are losing our children," Snelling said. "And we really need to think about the gun violence that's going on in this city. And we all need to step up to try to fight this type of gun violence to save our children."

A 7-year-old child was shot to death in Chicago's Near West Side neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities.

Snelling added that the department was still investigating the incident, searching for video footage or other evidence of the suspect or suspects involved.

"When we arrest people for violent crimes, we have to prosecute them," Snelling said. "We have to keep them off the street. We cannot allow repeat offenders to go back out on the street. ... These are great people living in these communities, and a lot of them are prisoners in their own homes. We want to do whatever we can to put an end to that."

According to Snelling, 127 children and teens under the age of 18 have been victims of gun violence in 2024. 17 of those shot have been killed.

"Those numbers are significantly down from last year, but still unacceptable," Snelling said.

Mayor Brandon Johnson also spoke at the press conference, saying he had reaching a "breaking point" regarding gun violence in the city.

"These acts of violence must end," Johnson said. "The weapons that are flowing to the streets of Chicago and around this country. We have to stop and then we have to hold people accountable."