CHICAGO—A toddler shot in the head while riding in a car on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive has been removed from a medically induced coma but remains in critical condition, a doctor said Saturday.
Kayden Swann remains on a ventilator to help with his breathing in Lurie Children’s Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit, said Dr. Marcelo Malakooti, the unit’s medical director and the hospital’s associate chief medical officer.
The 21-month-old boy “continues to demonstrate positive improvements,” Malakooti said.
The shooting occurred Tuesday near Grant Park on the city’s South Side. Police have said one driver would not let another enter a lane of traffic. Kayden was riding in a car driven by his grandfather. A woman jumped out of the car with the child and someone drove them to Northwestern Memorial Hospital before the boy was transferred to Lurie Children’s Hospital.
The person who shot Kayden has not been arrested.
Jushawn Brown, 43, identified as the child’s grandfather, was given a $5,000 bond for illegal gun possession for the gun police found in his vehicle after the shooting. Police earlier said the man had been charged with unlawful use of a weapon.
Prosecutors told Judge Charles Beach that Brown was driving with his girlfriend and grandson when the shooting occurred Tuesday. They say Brown placed a gun on his lap when the other driver brandished his gun.
While police initially said Brown fired shots at the SUV, prosecutors said he kept the gun in his lap. Brown’s gun was recovered by investigators.
Chicago police did not immediately respond to questions about the discrepancy between prosecutors’ court comments and police information.
“The investigation into whether the suspect fired the weapon remains ongoing,” said spokesman Sgt. Rocco Alioto.
Judge Charles Beach said Brown is not alleged to be the instigator or even accused of firing the gun.
“I wish the best for you and your family and your grandson, I can’t imagine a thing worse than what you’re experiencing at this moment,” Beach told Brown, noting he isn’t alleged to be the instigator of the shooting, before setting bond at $5,000. Brown will need to post $500 to be released from custody while awaiting trial.
“Just hearing my grandson’s name, I get emotional,” Brown said during the video-conferenced court hearing.
No other arrests have been reported. Chicago police spokeswoman Karie James said Thursday that police were still searching for the driver of the second vehicle, but she had no other information to release on that person.
