12-year-old boy shot, critically wounded in Gage Park

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CHICAGO (FOX 32 / STMW) - A 12-year-old boy was shot and critically wounded Thursday evening in the Gage Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side.

The shooting happened at 9:04 p.m. in the 3000 block of West 54th Street, according to Fire Media Affairs Chief Juan Hernandez. According to reports, a red vehicle pulled up, the people inside flashed some gang signs, and the boy was shot while he was playing tag outside with friends. 

The boy suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. One witness told FOX 32 News the boy exclaimed, "oh, help me. This can't be happening!"

He was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago Police said.

Outside Mount Sinai, a woman, who said she is the boy’s sister, said he turns 13 years old next month and he was outside playing tag with friends when he was shot.

Outside the hospital, family friends of the boy said he is expected to survive.

Police officials say the boy had no known gang ties and was just "a regular kid." 

Additional information was not immediately available.