A 7-year-old was shot in Cole Park in the Chatham neighborhood and a 5-year-old was wounded at Cooper Park at 117th and Ada. One child is still being treated at Advocate Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn.
ABC7 has learned that an individual is in custody in connection with the shooting of 5-year-old Jaden Donald, who is fighting for his life following surgery to remove major organs.
Friday night, police were patrolling Cooper Park in the West Pullman neighborhood where five-year-old Jaden Donald was shot in the stomach by a gunman.
"Why would you do something like this? Why? All these innocent people and kids all out, why would you do something like that?" said Jasmine Dillon-Donald.
Donald's mother says her family was celebrating the Fourth of July when around 12:40 a.m. someone sprayed the park with gunfire, feet from a police surveillance camera.
"I tried to grab his arm, and he said, 'Mama,'" Dillon-Donald said. "And I looked down, and his shorts was red. He had on white shorts. They were red."
Donald's mother says doctors have had to remove her son's kidney, spleen, and pancreas, and more surgeries are likely needed.
"I never even dreamed something like this can happen," she said.
Another child recovering from bullet wounds is 7-year-old Christian Lyles, who was shot in the neck at Cole Park in the Chatham neighborhood.
"I think it's totally ridiculous, unacceptable, and it should not have happened. And it shouldn't happen anymore," said Thomas Wortham III.
Thomas and Carolyn Wortham know the park well.
A playground there is named after their son, Chicago police officer Thomas Wortham, who was shot and killed across the street in 2010.
The Worthams now organize an annual camping event in Cole Park every summer to promote anti-violence.
"We've got lots of new neighbors with young children now, and they should be able to enjoy the same amenities that our children enjoyed when they were younger," Carolyn Wortham said.
"Every child should be able to come to this park and play and not be fearful of their life, be fearful of being shot," said Thomas Wortham III.
Christian Lyles has been released from the hospital despite two gunshot wounds to the neck. His family said he is expected to be okay.
