Shooting That Killed 12-Year-Old Erica Gibson In Hazel Crest Ruled Accidental; Family Not Pleased That No Charges Will Be Filed
HAZEL CREST, Ill. (CBS) -- No charges will be filed in the death of a 12-year-old girl in Hazel Crest, as the shooting that killed her while she was visiting a friend there has been ruled accidental.
As CBS 2's Jermont Terry reported Tuesday night, Erica Gibson's family is outraged – saying someone must answer for the crime.
The family continues to come to terms with the reality that the precious child is no longer here. She was shot by her friend while at that friend's house on Arlington Lane in Hazel Crest.
On Tuesday night, the family came together and held a vigil in their old neighborhood in the Cabrini Rowhouses on the Near North Side.
The child's mother was comforted with hugs from family and friends. They released balloons to honor the girl they said loved dancing and making people smile.
Erica's family insisted they had no idea there was a gun in the house in Hazel Crest where she lost her life. Police said Erica's 14-year-old friend accidentally shot and killed her while holding a gun.
Hearing there will now be no charges simply did not sit well with the family.
"Lock it up - period. Lock it up, because to me - I blame the parents, and I'm going to be honest," said Erica's aunt, Tywauna McDonald, "because it was their job; their obligation to lock their gun up, and they didn't - so yes, I blame them."
The family said the Cook County State's Attorney's office opted not to file any charges, but the family is not happy with the decision. They are asking parents to ask if weapons are in a home before letting a child visit anyone.
This was the second shooting of its kind in days in the Chicago area.
This past Thursday, Chicago Police said a 12-year-old boy's friend accidentally shot him in a high-rise apartment building on Rhodes Avenue near 35th Street in Bronzeville.
