Chicago Woman Charged with Murder in Stabbing Death of 7-Year-Old Girl on South Side
October 4, 2026
Prosecutors describe the incident as a random attack, underscoring the perceived unpredictability of the crime.
CBS News Chicago reports a deadly stabbing in the South Side, with ongoing legal proceedings and related local coverage, including video features on the page.
The core of the story is a 7-year-old girl’s murder by a female suspect, with prosecutors describing the stabbing as a random attack and the victim identified as Edi Mari Hernandez Chacon.
The assailant, a woman later identified as Shavon Gayden, approached the girl and stabbed her multiple times in the back; the sister ducked and moved away.
A funeral or memorial service was held midweek to honor the young victim, signaling community grief.
Gayden was scheduled for a hearing but was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and unable to appear, per the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Investigators have not disclosed a motive or any relationship between attacker and victim, with limited details released.
The weekend incident prompted immediate charges and an upcoming court appearance for the defendant.
Bystanders detained Gayden and police recovered evidence at the scene in a commercial area that includes a restaurant, nail salon, and market.
Police records note a prior history for Gayden, including domestic battery and aggravated assaults dating from 2016 to 2024.
The child was pronounced dead at Comer Children’s Hospital; a security photo shows the victim with an older female prior to the attack, uncertain relation to Gayden.
A family member said the defendant had long-standing mental health issues and difficulty obtaining help, according to local reports.
Summary based on 15 sources


