Graylin Waters charged in shooting of 11-year-old girl Willow James while driving home from school in Harvey

HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) — A Harvey man has been charged in the shooting of an 11-year-old girl last month.

According to investigators, Graylin Waters, aged 29, is the suspect behind the shooting that wounded Willow James, an 11-year-old girl. She was struck by a bullet in the head while returning home from school.

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Waters has been charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, a class X felony.

The police reported that on May 28, Waters fired shots in the vicinity of 158th Street and Paulina Avenue in Harvey as the girl was riding in a car with her father and cousin on their way home.

That’s when investigators said a stray bullet fired by Waters struck the girl in the head.

Law enforcement officials stated that following a thorough investigation, Waters was detained, and the firearm believed to have been used in the incident was discovered in his vehicle during a search conducted by officers.

Police haven’t said who was the intended target of the attack.

The suspect is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing this morning.

Meanwhile, Willow James survived the shooting and her family says she is currently undergoing intensive physical therapy.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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