Shavon Gayden Charged With Alleged Murder in Fatal Stabbing of 7-Year-Old Chicago Girl
48-year-old Shavon Gayden has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing a 7-year-old girl to death in broad daylight as the child walked with her older sister on Chicago’s South Side.
Chicago police identified the suspect as Shavon Gayden. Authorities allege Gayden approached Eddimar Paola Hernández Chacón shortly before noon Saturday, Oct. 3, in the 8600 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue in the Chatham neighborhood and stabbed the girl multiple times in the back. ABC7 Chicago
Eddimar was rushed to the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Surveillance video reportedly shows Eddimar walking with her older sister shortly before the attack. Other footage shows witnesses rushing to help. Police said several bystanders pursued and detained Gayden until officers arrived. Gayden suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized before being taken into police custody. ABC7 Chicago
Authorities have not announced a motive. According to local officials, Gayden allegedly had an altercation with employees at a nearby wireless store before the stabbing. Police have not indicated that she knew the child. ABC7 Chicago
Court records reviewed by Chicago media show Gayden had previous criminal cases, including a 2023 attack on a CTA bus driver for which she received probation. Records also indicate she later faced allegations involving two shelter workers. ABC7 Chicago
On Sunday, grieving relatives, neighbors and community leaders gathered at the scene for an emotional vigil, releasing white balloons in Eddimar’s memory.
Her family remembered her as a happy child who loved drawing and playing with her siblings. Her mother, Estefany Hernandez, called for justice, saying her daughter had done nothing to provoke the attack. https://www.kttc.com
Gayden is scheduled for a court appearance Monday. The charge remains an allegation, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.