Harvey Man Charged Shooting 11-Year-Old Girl

Graylin T. Waters, 29, was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm for the shooting of 11-year-old Willow James in Harvey, Illinois. On May 28, Willow was struck in the head by a stray bullet while riding home from school with her father and cousin, leaving her paralyzed and requiring intensive physical therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Police recovered a gun believed to be used in the shooting from Waters’ vehicle, and he is being held at Cook County Jail awaiting trial. Harvey Mayor Christopher J. Clark and Police Chief Cameron Biddings expressed the community's heartbreak and the importance of swift law enforcement response and community cooperation in apprehending the suspect. Willow’s family highlighted her prior achievements and ongoing struggle, emphasizing her fighting spirit during recovery. The case underscores ongoing concerns about violence affecting children in the community.