7-year-old boy shot, wounded as relative confronts man allegedly stealing car in Roseland; 1 in custody

One person was in custody after a 7-year-old boy was shot Sunday morning during a confrontation in Roseland on the Far South Side.

The boy was the fourth minor 14 or younger shot over the weekend.

About 11:20 a.m., the boy and family members were on their way to church when one of the family members noticed someone inside their parked vehicle in the 10800 block of South State Street, Deputy Chief Larry Snelling told reporters Sunday afternoon.

As the family member confronted the person, the man brandished a weapon and opened fire, striking the boy in the leg, Snelling said.

He was taken to Roseland Hospital then transferred to Comer Children’s Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, officials said.

The man fled but was taken into custody, Snelling said. The investigation was ongoing.

On Friday night, 3-year-old Mateo Zastro was killed in a shooting that police said was sparked by road rage in West Lawn on the Southwest Side as he sat in the back seat of his mother’s sport-utility vehicle.

A day later, a 14-year-old boy was among two wounded in a drive-by in Greater Grand Crossing, and another 14-year-old boy was shot while walking in Gresham.

Snelling urged the community to “start stepping up and pointing out the people who are shooting and killing children.”

At least 286 minors have been shot in Chicago this year, according to a Chicago Sun-Times tally. Forty-three of those victims who were killed were 17 or younger. There have been 33 gunshot victims 12 or younger, and six of them died.

Snelling urged motorists to call police if they see someone attempting to steal or break into their vehicle.

“Please do not try to confront these individuals,” Snelling said. “It’s not worth it to confront that individual because lives are on the line.”