In the early hours of Sunday morning, a peaceful celebration in Illinois turned deadly when gunfire broke out. The shooting resulted in at least 20 people being shot, one of whom did not survive.
The tragic incident occurred around half-past midnight along Route 83, close to Honeysuckle Rose Lane, according to Joe Ostrander, the Battalion Chief with the Tri-State Fire Protection District. Witnesses reported that a large crowd had gathered in a strip mall parking lot to commemorate Juneteenth when the event abruptly descended into chaos.
Early estimates from the fire department reported at least 10 people being shot. However, by Sunday morning, an official from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the number of victims was 20, with one person losing their life.
Those attending the event sought cover as they heard the gunfire, waiting for it to end before dispersing in all directions, according to one witness, Markeshia Avery. Out of the people wounded, two are critically injured, while the others are recovering from what the fire officials describe as “graze wounds.”
Eyewitness accounts depict a scene of sudden disorder with attendees scampering away as shots were indiscriminately fired. The injured were promptly taken to hospitals across DuPage, Cook, and Will counties.
An eyewitness named Kyria mentioned that the police had sealed all the entrances to the area and cordoned it off for investigation.
By 8 a.m., a heavy police presence remained at the scene as investigations continued. The aftermath of the unfortunate incident was clearly visible with debris scattered across the ground.
Zaviar Sheikh, another witness, recounted the moment when they heard the initial gunshot followed by a series of others. It prompted a frantic escape as Sheikh and their friend ran for their lives.
In the wake of the incident, the sheriff’s office has called on anyone with relevant information to come forward.