Chicago police were dispersing a large late-night gathering when gunfire struck 10 people along the park’s eastern edge.
CHICAGO, IL — A 35-year-old man was killed and nine other people were wounded when gunfire erupted late Saturday during a large gathering in Washington Park on the city’s South Side, Chicago police said.
The shooting happened about 11:37 p.m. Aug. 29 in the 5400 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, near 55th Street. Police said officers were already at the park and were trying to disperse the crowd when one or more people began firing. Ten people were struck. No police officers were injured.
The 35-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. Authorities had not publicly identified him as of Sunday. Six other victims were reported in good condition, while information about the conditions of three additional victims remained unavailable.
Among those listed in good condition were a 34-year-old man who was wounded in the shoulder, a 39-year-old man wounded in the leg and arm, a 40-year-old woman wounded in the shoulder, a 45-year-old woman wounded in the leg, a 26-year-old woman wounded in the chest and a 42-year-old man wounded in the leg, according to police accounts reported by local news organizations. They were treated at University of Chicago Medical Center, Stroger Hospital and St. Bernard Hospital.
Police also reported that three other victims, ages 23, 35 and 37, were taken for medical treatment, but their conditions were not immediately known. Local reports differed on the reported sex of the 23-year-old victim, and police had not released information resolving that discrepancy as of Sunday.
The shooting unfolded while officers were dealing with a large crowd gathered along the eastern side of Washington Park. CBS Chicago reported that police radio traffic captured officers urgently calling for medical help as multiple victims were found. A witness interviewed by the station said people began running as the shots were fired during what he described as a picnic in the park.
Initial reporting also differed on whether anyone was detained in connection with the shooting. CBS Chicago reported that officers could be heard on dispatch traffic saying a person had been detained and a weapon recovered. However, later reports from the Chicago Sun-Times and NBC Chicago said no suspects were in custody. Authorities had not announced charges or identified a suspected shooter as of Sunday, and it remained unclear whether the reported detention was connected to the attack.
Police had not publicly established how many people fired weapons or what led to the shooting. Investigators also had not announced a motive. Detectives were continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the gathering and the gunfire.
The shooting came weeks after another deadly attack in Washington Park. On July 16, four men were shot in the 5100 block of South Calumet Avenue after police said someone in a vehicle opened fire on a group. A 44-year-old man later died in that shooting. No connection between the July attack and Saturday night’s shooting has been reported.
Authorities continued working Sunday to identify those responsible for the latest shooting. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Cook County Crime Stoppers was offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. No charges had been announced, and the investigation remained active.
Author note: Last updated August 30, 2026.