Chicago gang violence claims 3 children

CHICAGO Three children have been killed since Saturday in an ugly spasm of gun violence in the nation’s third- largest city that has befuddled even the most battle- hardened of police officers.

All three children were caught in gang- related gunfire that wasn’t targeting them. The city is struggling to stem a surge in violence that left it with more than 760 murders last year and more than 70 homicides in the first six weeks of 2017.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson announced murder charges Wednesday against Antwan Jones, 19, in the shooting death of 11- year- old Takiya Holmes. He didn’t mince words about his anguish over the unrelenting violence in this city.

Authorities alleged Jones, who police said is a gang member with a long rap sheet, inadvertently shot Takiya when he fired at some rivals.

“For these families, my heart goes out to them, because there is nothing you can say to them that will ease that pain,” Johnson said.

Less than an hour before Takiya was shot, Kanari Gentry Bowers, 12, was struck in the head by gunfire as she played basketball with friends on an elementary school playground. After four days on life support, Kanari died Wednesday.

Police had not apprehended a suspect in her shooting.

Hours after Takiya’s death, Lavontay White, 2, was killed Tuesday along with his 25year- old uncle in what police said was a gang- related shooting.

A pregnant woman, 20, was wounded when they were am- bushed as they drove in an alley on the city’s West Side.

In the fatal shooting of Lavontay, police suspected the uncle, a gang member, was the intended target. Lavontay’s uncle had an extensive record, including convictions for armed robbery and burglary.

No one was apprehended in that shooting, but police were following leads.

President Trump has suggested he may order a federal intervention to try to stem the violence in Chicago.

SCOTT OLSON, GETTY IMAGES Nakeeia Williams speaks during a vigil in the Park Manor neighorhood to honor her 11- year- old daughter, Takiya Holmes, who died Tuesday after being shot Saturday.