Full Breakdown
Fatal Stabbing of 7-Year-Old Eddimar Hernández Chacón in Chicago’s East Chatham
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Saturday, October 3 2026, a 7-year-old girl was walking southbound on the 8600 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago’s East Chatham neighborhood when an adult woman displayed a sharp object and stabbed the child multiple times in the back. The victim, identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Eddimar Hernández Chacón, was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital and pronounced dead. Bystanders detained the suspect, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was later taken into police custody.
Key Figures & Groups
- Eddimar Hernández Chacón – 7-year-old victim.
- Shavon Gayden – 48-year-old woman taken into custody; charged with first-degree murder.
- Chicago Police Department (CPD) – Investigating the attack.
- Alderman Michelle Harris – 8th-Ward alderwoman, issued statements.
- Mayor Brandon Johnson – Expressed condolences and pledged city support.
Timeline
- October 3 2026 – Stabbing occurs just before noon; victim dies at hospital; bystanders detain suspect.
- October 4 2026 – Mayor Johnson and Alderman Harris release statements; community vigils held.
- October 5 2026 – Detention hearing for Shavon Gayden scheduled for the following Monday.
Data & Statistics
- Victim age: 7.
- Time of attack: ~11:55 a.m.
- Injuries to suspect: non-life-threatening, treated locally.
- Prior criminal history for Gayden includes four Cook County cases since 2016, with convictions for aggravated battery of a CTA bus driver (2023) and assault of shelter workers (2024-2025).
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Johnson called the incident “heartbreaking” and said the city will continue to work with CPD while supporting the family. Alderman Harris described the stabbing as “senseless,” thanked the bystanders for their quick intervention, and urged anyone with information to contact police. Police have not disclosed a motive and say the investigation remains ongoing, examining whether the victim and suspect knew each other.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My heart goes out to her family, friends, and everyone who is affected by this horrific incident. No child should ever have to experience violence or fear while simply walking down the sidewalk.” — Mayor Brandon Johnson
- “I am deeply saddened by the senseless stabbing of a 7-year-old child in our neighborhood.” — Alderman Michelle Harris
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact spelling of the victim’s name: “Edi Mari Hernandez Chacon,” “Eddimar Hernández Chacón,” and “Edimari Hernández Chacón.” Early coverage did not name the suspect; later articles identified her as Shavon Gayden and listed prior arrests, but police have not released a motive or confirmed any relationship between the suspect and the victim.
What’s Next
A detention hearing for Shavon Gayden is set for Monday, with the procedural deadline recorded as October 5 2026. The case remains under investigation by CPD’s Area Two detectives, and authorities have asked the public for any additional information.