Five-Year-Old Boy Shot and Killed inside Riverdale Home

A 5-year-old boy named Roson Garret was shot and killed inside a home in south suburban Riverdale, Illinois, on Tuesday evening, June 9, 2026. Emergency responders arrived at the scene in the 13900 block of South State Street at approximately 6:05 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Medical personnel pronounced the young child dead at the residential property shortly after their arrival.

Shooting Incident and Emergency Response

First responders rushed to the single-family residence on Tuesday evening after receiving urgent calls regarding a juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound. Police officers and paramedics with the Riverdale Fire Department arrived to find the five-year-old boy inside the house. Despite immediate medical evaluation, the child was determined to have sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Forensic investigators and detective units immediately secured the property, establishing a secure perimeter around the block. Officers began searching the interior of the home for ballistics evidence, including the firearm used and any spent shell casings. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office officially identified the victim as Roson Garret on Wednesday.

Suspect Detention and Family Members in Custody

During the preliminary sweep of the home, officers located three individuals who were present inside the residence when the weapon discharged. Authorities confirmed that these three individuals are family members of the young victim. Police took all three relatives into custody for questioning to determine how the firearm was accessed and fired.

As of Thursday morning, June 11, 2026, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and local police have not filed any formal criminal charges against the detained family members. Detectives are continuing to conduct extensive interviews with the individuals to clarify their respective roles and coordinate the timeline of the shooting. The exact familial relationships between the deceased boy and those in custody have not yet been publicly disclosed by investigators.

Police Department and Medical Examiner Statements

The tragic event has deeply impacted local authorities and the emergency personnel who responded to the scene on Tuesday. Riverdale Police Chief Mark Kozeluh released a formal statement addressing the psychological toll of the incident on the community and first responders. Kozeluh emphasized that the death of a young child represents one of the most heartbreaking scenarios that police officers, firefighters, and medical investigators can encounter during their duties.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office scheduled a forensic autopsy to officially document the trajectory of the bullet and determine the official manner of death. While the initial report confirms a single gunshot wound caused the child’s death, the final autopsy findings will be submitted directly to the state’s attorney. The Riverdale Police Department is leading the homicide investigation with technical assistance from regional crime laboratory technicians.

Neighbor and Community Reaction

News of the fatal shooting spread rapidly through the tightly knit south suburban neighborhood on Tuesday night. Longtime residents gathered along the sidewalks of South State Street as police cars and forensic vans lined the residential block. Neighbors described the area as a typically quiet, family-oriented street where children frequently play outdoors together during the summer months.

Local community leaders and clergy members expressed profound sadness over the sudden loss of the five-year-old boy and called for peace. Several neighbors expressed shock that such violence could occur inside a home on their street. Advocates have organized a small prayer vigil near the home to support the extended family and local residents mourning the tragedy.

Investigation and Safety Advocacy

Detective units are actively canvassing the surrounding neighborhood to collect any available surveillance footage from residential security cameras. Police have also requested that anyone who may have heard or witnessed suspicious activity around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday contact the Riverdale Police Department. Investigators are focused on identifying the registered owner of the firearm and determining whether the weapon was stored in accordance with state gun laws.

The tragedy has prompted renewed calls from local safety advocates regarding the critical importance of secure firearm storage within households containing children. Illinois law mandates that gun owners secure firearms to prevent unauthorized access by minors under the age of 18. Community safety groups plan to distribute free gun locks and safety materials to suburban families in the coming days to help prevent future accidental shootings.