Crime & Law
Chicago Police Investigating 2 Mass Shootings That Left 14 Wounded Early Friday
A Chicago police car is pictured in a file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
A day after a Fourth of July shooting killed two women and an 8-year-old boy in Chicago, police were investigating two other mass shootings that wounded 14 people in the city early Friday.
Chicago police said eight people were shot in the city’s Little Italy neighborhood shortly after midnight during an exchange of gunfire between two people who fled the scene, in the 1300 block of West Hastings Street.
All of the shooting victims — five women and three men ranging in age from 18 to 74 — were reported in good or fair condition, with six of them transported to Stroger Hospital.
About 90 minutes later, a shooting in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood wounded six people — three men and two women ages 18 to 25, and a 15-year-old boy, police said. All six were reported in good and fair condition.
Police were called to the 100 block of South Menard Avenue and said preliminary findings suggest that shooting also involved an exchange of gunfire between two people who ran from the scene.
Friday’s shootings followed a Thursday morning shooting in a home on Chicago’s South Side that killed two women, ages 45 and 24, and wounded three boys, ages 8, 7 and 5. The 8-year-old boy died from his wounds later Thursday, police said.
Deputy Chief Don Jerome said two vehicles pulled up and multiple people got out and fired shots at the home.
Multiple shell casings from both a rifle and a handgun were found at the scene, Jerome said.
Police on Friday continued investigating all three shootings and have announced no arrests.
“We are devastated by the recent violence that has left our city in a state of grief and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities impacted by these recent events,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement Friday afternoon.
The city has announced several measures in response:
— The police department will deploy officers whose days off for this weekend were previously canceled to maximize presence and ensure prompt incident response.
— A community rally has been scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. at 71st Place and Woodlawn Avenue “to promote bonding, support and healing.”
— An Emergency Services Assistance Center will be activated July 9 from 3:30-7 p.m. at Fosco Park, 1312 S. Racine Ave., to provide emergency support services to community residents.
