'A Baby Was Assassinated," Fr. Pfleger Says of Slain 9-Year-Old

Tyshawn Lee | GoFundMe

Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said that 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee was “targeted and lured” to a spot in an alley near his grandmother’s house where he was found shot to death on Monday afternoon.

“At this point, we believe that Tyshawn was targeted, lured to this spot and murdered. We believe that this is the most recent in a series of gang-related, violent events,” McCarthy said during a news conference on Thursday in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood.

McCarthy attributed the shooting to an ongoing gang rivalry, possibly involving Tyshawn’s father, Pierre Stokes. McCarthy alleged that Stokes is not being cooperative into the investigation of his son’s death.

“We believe Tyshawn’s father has ties to a gang that is in conflict with another gang,” McCarthy said.

Stokes has denied those ties, stating that police should be less focused on him and more on finding his son’s killers, he told ABC 7.

The “person of interest” who turned themselves into police Wednesday has also been released without being charged.

A Chicago Police news release Thursday night announcing the creation of a GoFundMe campaign to raise reward money for those wishing to contribute to a reward fund.

The “Save Our Children” fund was established by Fr. Michael Pfleger, of St. Sabina, “dedicated to supporting philanthropic efforts for the children of Chicago, IL.” About $935 was raised toward a goal of $15,000.

A $35,000 reward is being offered toward information leading to the arrests Both Pfleger and community activist Andrew Holmes were at Thursday’s press conference held by police.

Pfleger said he is willing to relocate anyone who comes forward with information “if that’s what it takes,” news reports said.

“What happened to Tyshawn Lee took us to a new low,” Pfleger said at the news conference. “This wasn’t a drive-by, this was not a spray of bullets. A baby was executed. A baby was assassinated right behind us in this alley.”

The boy’s funeral is set for Tuesday, Nov. 10, at St. Sabina Church. Visitation will take place at 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. service.