A girl who was shot in the head Monday night inside her home in Harvey, Ill., while making plans on the eve of her 12th birthday has died, her family said.
Kentayvia Blackful, a 6th grader at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, died at 10:22 p.m. Tuesday, her birthday, surrounded by family, her grandfather said.
"It was very emotional," her grandfather Kenneth Donner said Wednesday. "She's not suffering anymore. We know she's in a better place."
Blackful, who was in her living room making invitations for an upcoming skating party to celebrate her 12 birthday, was shot around 9 p.m. Monday in the 15800 block of Paulina Street, police said.
Harvey Police Chief Eddie Winters said "several" men approached the home on foot and opened fired on a man who was standing outside of it. Multiple bullets penetrated the facade of the tan home, including one that struck Blackful in the head, police said.
She was rushed in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she remained until her death.
Police are investigating the incident and no arrests have been made.
Harvey officials and community members gathered Tuesday night to pray for the young girl and wrote messages on balloons that were tied to posts on her home.
Donner said the family will hold a balloon release party at the home Wednesday night.
