CHICAGO — A family is hoping for answers after a woman was shot when a bullet pierced the window of their fourth-floor apartment Tuesday morning.
Chicago police were called to the scene around 12:30 a.m. in the 2500 block of West Fitch Avenue.
“We were so scared,” said Charlotte Birinda.
The 25-year-old was with her sister, Cecilia Birinda, who was braiding her hair when this happened. She said other family members, including her parents, were sleeping.
“Then we hear this sound, like a window broken, like someone was throwing a stone,” said Charlotte.
UPDATE: Police identify Illinois man charged in killing of Plainfield woman at apartment in Whitewater, Wis. The pair ran into a nearby room to hide from what they believed was a rock being thrown through the window. They quickly learned it was something else that shattered the glass.
“I was like, ‘my sister, something hit my back,’” said Charlotte. “She was like, let me check what happened. When she checked she found that there was bleeding and a wound. I was wounded.”
Charlotte was treated by the Chicago Fire Department and transported to St. Francis Hospital, where she was initially said to be in fair condition.
“I was very scared. I thought something bad was going to happen to her,” said Cecilia. “She’s strong.”
Charlotte has since been released from the hospital and is recovering. She said she is thankful the entire situation wasn’t worse.
“I’m very grateful,” said Charlotte. “The bullet didn’t hit my bone or enter inside; it’s just my skin.”
Blue Line shooting: No provocation before masked shooter opened fire, source says Charlotte told WGN News, at the hospital, she underwent treatment and testing, including an X-Ray, which showed no bullet in her body.
“It’s nothing serious, it’s just that I have the wound,” Charlotte said. “I’m feeling better, but my right hand, I can’t lift anything with.”
The sisters and their family said the bullet may have shattered a window, but it also shattered their sense of safety in their own home.
“Nobody deserves these things, so I hope nobody gets hurt again,” said Cecilia. “I would like to know what happened. Why did the person do this thing? We have no idea. We did nothing wrong.”
Charlotte and her family moved from Zambia just over two years ago. They said the have lived in their current apartment for less than a year and a half, but they have never heard gunshots or felt nervous before.
It is not clear where the gunfire came from or whether any other homes or vehicles nearby were struck.
No arrests have been announced. Anyone with information should reach out to Area Three Detectives as they investigate this shooting at 312-744-8261.
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