Two men in Illinois are facing murder charges in connection with the shooting death of a Chicago mother as she attempted to shield her young child from the gunfire.
According to Fox News, 24-year-old Brittany Hill was killed on Tuesday. Police have since identified Michael Washington, 39, and Eric Adams, 23, as suspects in the fatal shooting.
The duo were allegedly carrying out a suspected gang hit and were believed to be targeting several of people close to the victim, police say.
Hill was holding her 1-year-old daughter at the time of the shooting, but the child was reportedly spared physical injury as she remained shielded in the victim’s arms, as reported by Oxygen.
In addition to the young girl, Hill also reportedly leaves behind a son. He was also nearby at the time of the shooting and was able to flee to safety.
“This is not a random act of violence, unfortunately,” said Chicago Police Department spokesperson Michelle Tannehill. “It could possibly have been a targeted incident due to gang conflicts and retaliations in the area.”
Washington and Adams were arrested and subsequently appeared before Cook County Judge John F. Lyke Jr., who denounced the “chilling, mind-boggling and utterly senseless” crime. The suspects were denied bond at the preliminary court hearing and are expected to be charged with murder in the first degree.
[Featured image: Brittany Hill, Facebook]
