'This 3-year-old baby lost his life': Boy shot killed in Chicago

(Meredith/AP) - A 3-year-old boy has died after he was shot while riding in a car with his father on Chicago's West Side, police said.

Police Chief of Operations Fred Waller said the toddler and his dad were in a vehicle when a gunman from a blue Honda behind them fired shots Saturday night.

The 27-year-old father suffered an abdomen graze wound, and his son was shot in the back. The boy was later pronounced dead at a suburban hospital.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the 3-year-old as Mekhi James, the Chicago Tribune reported. His father's name was not released. 

Authorities said the father appeared to be the intended target of the Saturday night shooting. No arrests have been made.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot voiced her outrage on Twitter, calling the shooting a "senseless act of violence."

"Our city's collective heart breaks to hear the unfathomable news of a 3-year-old boy who was shot and killed tonight on Chicago's West Side," she tweeted. "There are simply no words to describe such a heinous, unconscionable act of cowardice to shoot at a toddler."

"A 3-year-old boy who had his whole life ahead of him. To the despicable individuals responsible for this senseless act of violence, you have no place in this city, no home in our communities, no shelter to hide."

Community activist Andrew Holmes said he was offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter. 

More than 100 people shot, 14 fatally, in Chicago over Father's Day weekend

"With all that's going on -- the racial tension, the police brutality, the protests -- come on out here and protest on this West Side. Shut this West Side down until we find out who discharged that weapon and took the life of this baby," said Holmes.

Rev. Ira Acree of Greater St. John Bible Church also spoke out about the shooting.

"A line was crossed," said Acree. "This is a horrific Father's Day. This 3-year-old baby lost his life. ... I could not pastor this community and not say something."

Authorities said Mekhi was among 14 people killed in a wave of gun violence over the Father's Day weekend in Chicago. More than 100 people were injured, making it the city's highest number of shooting victims in a single weekend this year.

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