Chicago Woman Charged with First-Degree Murder for Stabbing 7-Year-Old Girl to Death

A 48-year-old woman has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of a seven-year-old girl who was walking on a Chicago street. Eddimar Hernandez Chacon, accompanied by her sister, was out for a walk when Shavon Gayden allegedly approached them and launched an unprovoked attack.

Surveillance footage from a nearby public transit station captured the incident, which occurred on October 3rd. According to police reports obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, Gayden allegedly targeted Hernandez Chacon’s older sister first but missed her as she ducked out of the way. Instead, Gayden reportedly pulled the younger girl toward the ground and stabbed her repeatedly with a knife.

Responding officers attempted to stop the bleeding before emergency services arrived, but Hernandez Chacon sustained four stab wounds to the back and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The attack came shortly after an alleged altercation in which Gayden had threatened a salesperson inside a business.

Gayden was charged with first-degree murder on October 4th and did not attend her hearing on October 5th due to being hospitalized for a head injury. Her detention hearing is scheduled for October 7th. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Gayden has a history of random attacks, including a guilty plea in 2023 for an assault on a public transit employee and another arrest in November 2024 for allegedly attacking a worker at a shelter.

Gayden’s mother told WLS that she had been seeking help for her daughter for years. She expressed deep regret over the incident, stating, “I am so sorry. I am so sorry for that family. The little baby didn’t deserve it. My daughter was not in her right mind.” This tragic event highlights the ongoing challenges faced by communities in addressing violent behavior and ensuring public safety.

The case has drawn significant attention due to its brutality and randomness, sparking discussions about mental health resources and crime prevention strategies in urban areas. As the community mourns the loss of young Hernandez Chacon, there is renewed focus on understanding and preventing such senseless acts of violence.