Man shot 6 times while shielding toddler daughter during gang initiation survives

A father was shot 6 times on Thursday while shielding his toddler daughter during what is being reported as a gang-related attack in Chicago.

19-year-old Esteban ‘Sniper’ Sotelo shot the man as part of a gang initiation for an unnamed 14-year-old. The victim, who has yet to be identified, is recovering at Mt. Sinai hospital for wounds on his legs, back and neck. He also has a bullet lodged in the cavity just below his eye.

The 29-year-old victim had just left his mother’s house and was placing his 20-month-old daughter in her car seat when he was approached by Sotelo and the 14-year-old. Sotelo simply said “what’s up” and then unleashed the barrage of bullets on the victim.

Sotelo and the youth fled the scene but were apprehended by Chicago police shortly after.

During his appearance in Cook County Bond Court on Sunday, Sotelo admitted that the shooting was a gang initiation for the 14-year-old into the Latin Kings gang. They believed that the victim was a member of rival gang, Satan’s Kings.

Multiple witnesses identified Sotelo, who already has an extensive wrap sheet, as the gunman. He was denied bail on Sunday. Sotelo faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. The 14-year-old boy for whom the shooting was supposed to be a gang initiation is charged with aggravated battery and discharge of a firearm, authorities said.

There was no word on the daughter’s condition.