Nephew of Chicago anti-violence activist shot

Chicago anti-violence activist Andrew Holmes on Thursday showed up at the scene of shooting as an ambulance was pulling away, revealing later he had no idea at the time the victim inside was his nephew.

A 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy, were shot in the South Side's Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood by an assailant who then ran away, according to police. The boy was shot twice in the chest and was taken in critical condition Stroger Hospital. The girl was shot in an arm and shoulder and reported in stable condition in the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.

The pair were walking to a fast-food restaurant when they were shot, Holmes said, adding the information he obtained suggests it resulted from a dispute at the school his nephew attends.

"Am I upset? Yeah, I am totally upset. But I don't get (any more) upset than if it wasn't a relative of mine," Holmes said as he struggled to maintain control. "Even though it deeply hurts, as he's fighting for his life up there. Hopefully, as we pray, he'll be all right."

Holmes said he has spoken to his nephew about gun violence, pointing out it is not guaranteed that person being addressed, whether a relative or not, will get it.

Police said Holmes' nephew is a gang member, but the activist said as far as he knew, his nephew is a good kid.

As usual, Holmes urged anyone with knowledge of the shooting to call Chicago police.