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6-Year-Old Shooting Victim Now In 'Good Spirits,' On Road To Recovery

By Joe Ward | June 9, 2016 12:49pm
 Jaylene Bermeo, 6, was critically wounded Monday in a Logan Square shooting.
Jaylene Bermeo, 6, was critically wounded Monday in a Logan Square shooting.
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Stroger Hospital

LOGAN SQUARE — A 6-year-old girl critically wounded in a Logan Square shooting Monday is on the road to recovery, her doctors at Stroger Hospital said Thursday.

Jaylene Bermeo was standing outside at a family party in the 2100 block of North Bingham Street at 8:10 p.m. Monday when a 17-year-old drove by and someone inside his car opened fire, police said.

Jaylene was struck in the back and was rushed by family members to St. Mary's Hospital before she was transferred to Stroger Hospital.

She was listed in critical condition after she was shot, but her doctors said in a statement issued Thursday that Jaylene's condition was now considered to be "good."

"She is in good condition and good spirits today," said Dr. Yomi Akintorin. "She has a long but promising road to recovery ahead of her. We hope to discharge her in a few days."

A 17-year-old has been charged in the shooting. He was arrested Tuesday and charged Wednesday with one count of aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm, police said.

Neighbors told DNAinfo Chicago that they heard nine shots ring out Monday night.

"I was inside alone, and I heard people driving up and then, boom boom boom boom!" a witness said. "Then everyone started screaming. I went out and saw a little girl on the ground bleeding, and someone picked her up. Then I screamed, too."

Family members of the girl were described as being gang members, and neighbors said gang feuds do happen in the otherwise quiet part of Logan Square.

The family released a statement through the hospital Thursday, saying they were thankful for the prayers offered for the girl. They didn't comment on the shooting but said that Jaylene is looking forward to attending dance classes again.

"We truly appreciate the support our family has received during this difficult time," the Bermeo family said. "Please keep the prayers coming for Jaylene's full recovery so she can get back to the dance classes she loves so much."

RELATED: Shootings Have Logan Square On Edge: 'It's Scary Stuff; Everyone's Worried'

6-Year-Old Girl Shot In Back As Quiet Logan Square Block Rocked By Violence

Teen Charged With Shooting 6-Year-Old Girl In Back In Logan Square Drive-By

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