LOGAN SQUARE — A "problem house" where a 6-year-old girl was shot and critically wounded last year was torn down this week to make way for a new single-family home.
A demolition permit was issued on March 30 for the house at 2108 N. Bingham St., according to city records. Garp Development Inc., the new owner of the property, is building a new single-family home in its place, records show.
The high-profile shooting, which happened around 8 p.m. June 6, rocked an otherwise quiet pocket of Logan Square.
Jaylene Bermeo was playing with sidewalk chalk with two siblings and three cousins outside her aunt's house on Bingham Street, which authorities said was associated with the Spanish Cobras, when someone inside a silver four-door Hyundai opened fire — striking Jaylene in her back.
The 6-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital, where she was initially listed in critical condition with a punctured lung and a bullet lodged in her chest, close to her heart. She survived, with doctors later saying she was in "good" condition.
"She has a long but promising road to recovery ahead of her," Dr. Yomi Akintorin said at the time.
The shooting happened in a normally quiet corner of Logan Square. A short walk from Chase elementary school, the small section of neighborhood wedged between the edge of Logan Square and Bucktown is teeming with families.
But gang feuds do happen in the area, and authorities described family members of the girl as gang members. Both neighbors and 1st Ward Ald. Joe Moreno described the house where the shooting occurred as a "known problem house."
"The rest of the block is good, but that one has been a problem for years and years," longtime neighbor Simon Fernandez previously said. "They're always making noise, partying, arguing, drinking and sometimes shooting."
A 17-year-old, who authorities said is a documented Maniac Latin Disciple gang member, was charged with driving the getaway car involved in the shooting. He had prior arrests for drugs, reckless conduct, trespassing and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
Police said they believe the shooter was aiming for rival Spanish Cobra gang members near Jaylene when the girl was shot, authorities said, noting that the Latin Disciples and Spanish Cobras "are at war."
