Chicago, IL – A teen was killed andโ eight others injured in shootings โขFriday night in โคChicago’s Loop, near State Street and Dearborn and Monroe Streets, prompting a response from โคMayor Brandon Johnson andโค a heightened police presence. The shootings occured amid reports of aโ large โฃgathering of juveniles in theโฃ area.
The incident adds to ongoing concerns โaboutโ safety in the downtown area and raises questions about strategiesโฃ to address youth โviolence in the city. Investigations are underway to determine if the shootings are connected and to apprehend any suspects. The shootings underscore a recent spike in incidents involving large groups of โฃyoung peopleโ in the Loop, leading toโ calls for increased security โคmeasures and community intervention programs.
Chicago police reported โคthe following victims in the State Street incident:โฃ a 14-year-old boy with a gunshot graze โฃwound to the stomach, listed in good condition at Lurie Children’s hospital; a 15-year-old boy with a gunshot graze woundโ to theโ left thigh, also in good condition at Stroger hospital; a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot graze wound to the left thigh, in good condition at โคStroger hospital; a 14-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the right hip, โin good condition at Lurie โChildren’s hospital;โ a 16-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the leg, in good condition at Northwesternโ hospital; โขaโ 14-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the leg, inโข good condition at Lurie โChildren’s hospital; and โa 13-year-old girlโ with a gunshot wound to the leg, listed โin fair condition at Lurie Children’s hospital.
Mayor Brandon Johnsonโค spoke Saturday followingโ the shootings.
Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward posted on social media late Friday, โstating that “300 juveniles [were] rioting in the Loop,” with at least five victims shot, one critically wounded with a โคlife-threatening gunshot wound to the โtorso. Hopkins also reportedโฃ multiple policeโ officers โwere attacked andโ injured with mace and stun guns,with โคat least oneโ officer hospitalized.
Policeโ have not established a โconnection between the shootings โand have not takenโค anyoneโค intoโ custodyโค as of Saturday.
Thoseโฃ seeking to track crime and safety in their neighborhood can do so at โ https://abc7chicago.com/feature/tracking-crime-and-safety-in-your-neighborhood/12385906/.