CHICAGO, IL – A violent weekend in Chicago left 45 people shot, five of whom succumbed to their injuries, as authorities scramble to piece together the events and bring perpetrators to justice.
Two teenagers, ages 15 and 17, were among the fatalities. They were gunned down in a drive-by shooting on Saturday evening in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. The tragic incident unfolded around 6 p.m. near 48th Street and Winchester Avenue. The teens were standing outside a residence when a vehicle approached, and shots were fired. Both were transported to Comer Children’s Hospital but did not survive.
The bloodshed continued early Sunday morning when a 39-year-old man was killed outside a 24-hour restaurant in Armour Square. The shooting occurred at approximately 3 a.m. at the intersection of Grove Street and Canal Street. A dispute between two groups of men escalated, resulting in gunfire. The 39-year-old died on the scene, and three others were injured. A 21-year-old and a 27-year-old self-transported to the hospital, with the latter in critical condition.
Overall, the weekend’s violence saw 45 individuals shot, spurring local leaders to demand immediate action. A pastor from the South Side has called on Democratic leaders to address the escalating gun violence, especially in light of the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
“Violence is a public health crisis. It’s a disease,” the pastor declared. “We are urging DNC delegates to prioritize a national plan for reducing civilian violence and promoting civility.”
Currently, no suspects have been apprehended in connection with the shootings. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to arrests.