Police say the attacks unfolded less than an hour apart and about three blocks from each other in Chicago’s downtown.
CHICAGO — A 14-year-old boy was killed and eight other teenagers were wounded in two shootings late Friday, Nov. 21, in the Loop, hours after the city’s Christmas tree lighting drew thousands to Millennium Park, according to police and city officials.
Authorities said the violence followed a night of heavy foot traffic downtown as holiday events filled streets and sidewalks. The incidents triggered a large response from patrol officers already assigned to the area, as well as paramedics who ferried the injured to local hospitals. Mayor Brandon Johnson called the shootings a setback and said the city would surge additional resources through the weekend while detectives investigate. No arrests had been reported by Sunday morning, and police were working to determine whether the two attacks were connected.
Police said the first gunfire erupted around 9:50 p.m. along North State Street near East Madison Street, where officers on patrol saw a large group before hearing shots and watching people run. Seven teenagers — boys and girls ages 13 to 17 — were struck and later listed in good to fair condition at area hospitals with wounds to their legs, hips and torso. Less than an hour later, officers were called to a second scene near South Dearborn and West Adams streets, about three blocks away. An unidentified teen boy was shot multiple times and died at a hospital. An 18-year-old man suffered a leg wound and was hospitalized in serious condition.
Johnson addressed reporters Saturday, saying “incidents like last night set us back as a city and evoke fear.” He said the city had already staged about 700 additional officers and community violence interrupters for the holiday weekend and would deploy 300 more on Saturday night for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Five guns were recovered, according to the mayor. Ald. Brian Hopkins said in a social media post that groups of youths were “rioting” downtown and that officers were injured, though police did not immediately confirm the number or severity of any officer injuries. Detectives have not announced suspects, and investigators were reviewing surveillance footage and collecting shell casings from both blocks.
The shootings came after a festive tree-lighting ceremony at Millennium Park, a few blocks east of the crime scenes, and near other seasonal draws including Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza and shows at the Chicago Theatre on State Street. Downtown has periodically seen large youth gatherings since spring 2023 that at times led to vandalism or fights; city officials have alternated between adding curfew enforcement and staging youth programming to keep crowds peaceful. Friday’s crowds were expected: hotels and retailers advertised holiday deals, and transit agencies ran additional service into the Loop. Nearby businesses reported locking doors as police tape went up and ambulances lined the curb.
Police officials said they are examining whether the first attack involved shots fired from within a group that had clustered on the State Street sidewalk. The second attack appeared to target two people walking along Dearborn. The Cook County medical examiner had not publicly released the deceased victim’s name by Sunday. The 18-year-old who was wounded remained hospitalized. Investigators are tracing the recovered weapons and checking whether any were stolen or modified. The department also asked witnesses to share cellphone video with detectives assigned to the Central District.
City Hall said its Office of Emergency Management coordinated street closures as detectives processed both scenes. Crime Stoppers offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to arrests in either case. Chicago Public Schools officials said they were in contact with police given the ages of the victims. As of Sunday, the department had not specified what prompted the first confrontation or whether a dispute preceded the gunfire. Officials also did not indicate if the two scenes involved the same group of people.
By Sunday afternoon, extra police remained on corners around State, Dearborn and Adams while shoppers returned to downtown. Visitors stepped around chalk marks and drying rain near storefronts still bearing tape residue. “It was chaos for a few minutes and then it got quiet,” said Nate Williams, who was walking home from work on State Street. “You could hear sirens from every direction.” Another witness, Luz Martinez, said she saw officers rush toward Dearborn. “They moved people back fast,” Martinez said. “A lot of kids were crying.”
As of Sunday evening, no one was in custody, and detectives planned to canvass again overnight. Officials said the next update is expected Monday, Nov. 24, when police typically release weekend violence summaries. The city’s holiday security plan remains in effect through the Lights Festival and Thanksgiving week.
Author note: Last updated November 23, 2025.