Davaris Washington was due in court Monday after police accused him of firing a gun inside a Southwest Side apartment.
CHICAGO, Ill. — A 38-year-old Chicago man faces four felony charges after police said he fired a gun inside a Southwest Side apartment where a 1-year-old girl was struck by gunfire and critically injured early Saturday.
Davaris Washington, of the Chatham neighborhood, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of an automatic weapon, reckless conduct and possession of a firearm as a repeat felony offender, according to Chicago police. He was due in court Monday, when a judge was expected to consider whether he should remain in custody while the case moves forward.
Police said the shooting happened shortly after midnight Saturday in the 6400 block of South Mozart Street in the Chicago Lawn area. Officers responding to the residence found the 1-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital, where authorities said she was in critical condition.
Police sources said the girl had been sitting in a car seat in the living room when Washington allegedly fired a gun inside the apartment. Authorities have not publicly described what led to the gunfire, and the available police accounts do not establish that the child was deliberately targeted.
Washington was arrested about 12:15 a.m., minutes after officers were called to the residence. Police also recovered a firearm from the building. Authorities announced the charges Sunday night, turning an investigation that initially involved a person of interest into a felony prosecution.
Early reports about the investigation indicated that a second person had been taken into custody after allegedly trying to conceal the firearm. By Monday morning, however, police said Washington was the only person arrested in connection with the case. Authorities had not announced charges against anyone else.
The charges include allegations involving both Washington’s handling of the firearm and his legal ability to possess it. Police described one count as unlawful use of an automatic weapon, while other reports citing police described the charge as unlawful use of a machine gun or automatic weapon. Washington also faces a reckless-conduct charge tied to the serious injury suffered by the child.
The filing of charges does not establish guilt. Prosecutors will have to prove the allegations in court, and authorities have released limited information about the events immediately preceding the shooting. Police also have not publicly established Washington’s relationship, if any, to the girl.
The child was last reported in critical condition at Comer Children’s Hospital. The investigation remained active as Washington’s case moved into court Monday and authorities continued examining the circumstances surrounding the gunfire.
Author note: Last updated September 28, 2026.