Shavon Gayden Charged in Chicago Stabbing Death of Eddimar Hernandez, 7

CHICAGO () — A 48-year-old woman has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a 7-year-old girl in broad daylight on Chicago’s South Side, police said.

Family, friends and community members gathered Sunday for a vigil honoring Eddimar Paola Hernandez, who was stabbed to death Saturday in the Chatham neighborhood.

The gathering took place near 86th Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue, where Chicago police said the attack occurred.

Hernandez’s family fell to their knees Sunday when they returned to the site where the beloved 7-year-old was attacked one day earlier.

Loved ones wept and mourned together, expressing anguish as they searched for answers to questions they said may never be answered.

“She was happy,” Eddimar Hernandez’s stepfather, Pedro Izqueirdo, told ABC7 in Spanish. “She had dreams, to be big.”

Hernandez was walking with her older sister, according to her family, when surveillance video captured the two girls. Police said a woman then stabbed the child multiple times in the back.

Bystanders intervened and held the suspect until officers arrived, authorities said.

Hernandez was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she died, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Chicago police identified the suspect as 48-year-old Shavon Gayden and announced Sunday evening that she had been charged with first-degree murder.

During Sunday’s community vigil, Ald. Michelle Harris said Gayden had allegedly been involved in an altercation with employees at a nearby wireless store before allegedly attacking and killing Hernandez.

“You send your baby out. It’s a beautiful Saturday morning and then they don’t come back home,” Harris said.

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Estefany Hernandez, Eddimar’s mother, spoke to ABC7 in Spanish and called for justice in her daughter’s death.

“My daughter’s death should not be left like this,” Estefany Hernandez said. “There must be justice for my little girl. She wasn’t bothering anyone.”

Gayden is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Investigators have not disclosed a motive in Hernandez’s killing.

ABC7 reported Sunday evening that Gayden also has a criminal history.

Court records show she was arrested in 2023 for attacking a CTA bus driver and received two years of probation.

The following year, records show, Gayden violated her probation after assaulting two shelter workers. She was sentenced to court supervision in that case.

Records also indicate that Gayden failed to appear in court. A warrant was issued for her arrest, though it remains unclear whether it was executed.

Mayor Brandon Johnson posted the following statement Sunday:
“I am heartbroken by the killing of a 7-year-old Chicago girl who was simply walking down the street with her family. No family should ever have to experience the unimaginable pain of losing a child, and no child should ever have to fear for her life simply walking through her neighborhood. My deepest condolences are with this little girl’s family and loved ones, and the entire Chatham community as we grieve this devastating loss. We are praying for them and for everyone impacted by this horrifying tragedy. The City will continue to work closely with the Chicago Police Department as this investigation moves forward, and we will do everything we can to support this family and community during this unimaginable time.”