Heaven Sutton, 7-year-old Chicago girl, fatally shot moments after getting hair styled for trip to Disney World

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Heaven Sutton, 7, seen here with her mother, Ashkae Banks, 38. Heaven was shot and killed overnight outside her Chicago home

/ Personal photo

(CBS/AP) CHICAGO - A gang dispute outside a residential neighborhood on Chicago's West Side claimed the life of innocent 7-year-old victim Heaven Sutton on Wednesday, just after she styled her hair for a trip to Disney World, CBS Chicago reports.

Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said Heaven was outside with her mother and some friends when two gunmen fired into the crowd. The gunmen ran from the scene after the shooting.

McCarthy said police know which gangs were involved and they expect to wrap up their investigation shortly.

"We have incredibly strong leads on this case, and I anticipate a very, very, very, very quick turnaround, and an arrest on what we saw last night," McCarthy said Thursday.

Heaven and her family moved to the neighborhood six months ago but the little girl wanted to move because she was scared of all the shootings and violence.

But Heaven was looking forward to escaping the neighborhood with a trip to Disney World next month and got her hair styled for the occasion when shots rang out Wednesday evening.

Police said two men walked up near the home and opened fire as Heaven stood outside selling candy and snacks with her family. Her mother, Ashake Banks, said she ran the candy store for neighborhood kids in front of the building where they lived with the goal of keeping them out of trouble.

"I had just called Heaven," Banks told CBS Chicago. "She was sitting right next to me on my shoulder, just lying on my shoulder."

Banks said Heaven was entering second grade at Josephine Locke Elementary School. She had to watch helplessly as her daughter was gunned down and wants more than anything to have the killer caught.

"You all cannot just get away with killing my baby. You all took her life," Banks said. "She was going to Disney World."

Heaven was shot in the chest and died at Loyola University Medical Center, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Some neighbors blame Heaven's shooting on an ongoing gang war in the community, CBS Chicago reported. This infuriated Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who took direct aim at the gunman as he addressed the shooting Thursday.

"You're a member of a gang coming to get lemonade and another gang member is driving by? It's not about crime, it's about values. Where were you raised and who raised you?" the mayor said. "Stay away from the kids."

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by Fcaravajal July 2, 2012 11:12 PM EDT: Easy for you to say, it's not where you live it's how you make it. Where is your dignity this women just lost her child and all you can say is " blame the parents" well let me tell you everyone wasn't born with silver spoons in their mouths, and I know the women who lost her child, a very loving person. Think before you try and bad mouth a situation. Love you Heaven and may your soul rest with the Lord:); Reply to this comment


by knewsteerrrrr July 2, 2012 6:42 PM EDT: Banks said. "She was going to Disney World."

She can still go, but not with mom.; Reply to this comment

by audemus June 29, 2012 2:04 PM EDT

Hey!!! NRA!!!! When will the death toll be high enough for you ?

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by ahendryx819 June 29, 2012 3:32 PM EDT: Yeah, let's not blame the gang members themselves. Why hold anyone accountable for THEIR OWN actions?


by knewsteerrrrr July 2, 2012 6:42 PM EDT: Blame the parents, THEY were the ones who moved into that kraphole where the gang violence is- LOSERS!


by rwsmith29456 June 29, 2012 12:52 PM EDT: What do those thugs care about anything outside of their gangsta life? Nothing. What was this girl to them? Nothing except that killing somebody, however random, get's them 'respect' on the street. That's the only important thing.; Reply to this comment