In the weekend shootings in Chicago, at least seven people were killed, including at least three teenagers, and more than three dozen more were injured around Illinois’ largest city.
Students who were scheduled to begin the new school year on Monday were two of those who died.
Around 6:51 p.m. on Saturday, gunfire in the 8700 block of South Cregier Avenue injured a 14-year-old child in the head and chest. He was initially sent to Comer Children’s Hospital in critical condition, according to Chicago Police, but eventually passed away from his wounds.
“They took him from the world because he was going to be somebody,” Athena Harshaw told WLS-TV, identifying the victim as her 14-year-old basketball-playing nephew, Rayjohn. “Like, this is crazy. He was 14. His book bag was packed for school. He was so excited to go to Hyde Park [High School].”
At around 4:10 on Saturday, a 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old female were both shot by an unidentified shooter in Galewood Park, according to police. The child was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition despite having a gunshot wound to his right leg.
However, the girl who had been shot in the buttocks was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital, according to the police. She was later confirmed dead by the Cook County Medical Examiner, who named the victim as Ashuntice Wilburn, 17, according to WMAQ-TV.
“When I look back over her life, she was just starting her life,” the girl’s grandmother, Patty Ringo, told WLS-TV. Ringo said she and Ashuntice volunteered together at an anti-violence program at Greater St. John Bible Church, and the girl was supposed to start her senior year at Schurz High School Monday.
“With great sadness, we are devastated to learn about the loss of these young people,” Chicago Public Schools said in a statement. “The thoughts and condolences of the entire Chicago Public Schools (CPS) family are with all those impacted by these tragic deaths.”
Around 9:56 p.m. on Friday, an additional adolescent, an 18-year-old guy, was shot and killed in the 4300 block of West Maypole. According to the police, he was a passenger when an unidentified gunman opened fire on a car. He was shot many times in the abdomen, cheek, and head and was taken in critical condition to Mt. Sinai Hospital. A short while later, he was declared deceased.
In either of those fatal shootings, according to the police, no one was detained right away.
According to WSL-TV, throughout the weekend, at least 38 individuals were shot, seven of whom died.
An unidentified individual, between the ages of 30 and 40, was discovered with numerous gunshot wounds to the torso by police after they responded to reports of shots fired at about 11:12 p.m. on Sunday in the 3500 block of West Congress Parkway. At the scene, he was declared dead. The victim was shot by an unnamed male criminal who fled on foot, according to the police, who were informed by a witness.
An unidentified assailant in a white SUV pulled up next to the 24-year-old man’s car as it was stopped at a stop sign in the 800 block of North Orleans Street at about 3:36 a.m. Sunday, firing rounds in his direction, according to police. The man was shot multiple times and taken to Northwestern Hospital, where he was later declared dead.
At at 7:49 p.m. on Friday, a 16-year-old kid was shot numerous times while standing close to the sidewalk in the 4400 block of South Lavergne, according to police. After being taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, the victim’s condition was initially listed as critical.
According to police, a motorbike rider fired shots at a 19-year-old guy who was riding in the backseat of a car in the 3400 block of West Fullerton at around 2:44 a.m. on Sunday. The man was shot in the neck and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Centre, where his condition is rated as critical.
Police discovered an 18-year-old man victim with numerous gunshot wounds to the legs after responding to a shooting call in the 5900 Block of South King Drive at around 11:15 on Saturday night. A recognised male who escaped on foot shot him, according to the police. The injured person was taken to University of Chicago Medical Centre, where his status is described as critical.
