Nine-year-old boy lured into alley and executed in 'gang war retaliation'

Tyshawn Lee was shot multiple times in an alley way in the city’s South Side

Tyshawn Lee was shot multiple times in an alley way in the city’s South Side

The city of Chicago is reeling after a nine-year old boy was allegedly lured into an alley way and executed as part of a gang-war retaliation.

Tyshawn Lee was shot multiple times in an alley way in the city’s South Side. Police said they believe the murder was carried out because of alleged gang links with members of his family.

“This was most abhorrent, unfathomable cowardly crime,” in 35 years of police work, Police Supt Garry McCarthy told reporters on Thursday.

Police and the boy's family held a press conference in the alley where the boy was executed (Facebook)

“Children get murdered because of somebody else’s involvement in criminal activity. We are going to solve this crime. We need some help from the community, somebody needs to step forward.’

A local priest, Father Michael Pfleger said. “A baby was executed; a baby was assassinated in this alley,We have gone to a new low.”

CBS reported that Mr Pfleger said there was a $35,000 reward for information that leads to the capture of killer. He said he would pay out of his own pocket to relocate any resident who supplies authorities with information that helps catch the killer.

Investigators are looking into several possibilities that Tyshawn was targeted because of gang ties to his family. Tyshawn’s mother, Karla Lee, denied any gang connections within her family.

Tyshawn’s family and friends have pleaded with people to put down the guns. However, reports said that in one photograph circulating on social media, a family member posed with gun held to her lips as if to blow smoke.

The child’s father, stood near the news conference and spoke with police for about 10 minutes. He denied statements by Mr McCarthy that he has been uncooperative with police.

“I don’t have no enemies. I’ve got friends and family,” he tells WBBM Newsradio.