August 2024. Blues Vol 40 No.8

AROUND THE COUNTRY

AROUND THE COUNTRY CHICAGO, IL. Dozens of shootings across Chicago during the extended July 4th holiday weekend with 62 victims, 11 of them fatal. by Jenna Curren, Law Enforcement Today CHICAGO, IL - Authorities with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) have confirmed that the extended Fourth of July holiday weekend had resulted in multiple shootings across the city, leaving 62 shot with 11 of them being fatal. According to ABC7, the violent shootings began on Wednesday, July 3rd, and include three mass shootings. One of those mass shootings resulted in two women and an eight-year-old boy being killed and two young boys were left in critical condition. The shooting took place in the Grand Crossing neighborhood early morning on Thursday, July 4th. Investigators said that the attack was targeted and personal as several armed gunmen fired their weapons into the home around 6:15 a.m. CPD Deputy Chief Ron Jerome said, “Investigation reveals that two vehicles pulled up into the area, multiple subjects exited those vehicles, and fired at this residence. Multiple shell casings were recovered from both a rifle and a handgun 50 The Blues - August ‘24 at the scene. That investigation is ongoing.” Out of the 62 people shot over the holiday weekend, at least 19 were shot in mass shootings in Austin, Greater Grand Crossing, and Little Italy. Around 12:25 a.m. on Friday, July 5th, police responded to calls of shots fired and found eight people wounded by gunfire in the 1300 block of West Hastings Street. The two gunmen involved in that shooting fled the scene. Two women, 74 and 31, were shot in the leg. Two men, 28 and 23, were also shot in the leg. All four were taken to nearby hospitals. A 36-year-old man was shot in the groin and was taken to a hospital. Three women between the ages of 18 and 19 were grazed in the head by bullets. In 2023, 18 people were shot and two were killed on July 4th, and one resident, Erica Pinkerton, described that day in two words. She said, “It’s assassination day.” Austin resident Raul Perez said, “They got to stop the guns. You know? You can’t go out at night. You know, you’re afraid to go out at night because you’re gonna get shot or something.” Less than two hours after the shooting on West Hastings Street, officers responded to calls of a person shot in the 100 block of South Menard Avenue. Upon arriving on scene, officers found six people wounded after two gunmen exchanged gunfire. Both men fled the scene. In that

shooting, the victims ranged in age from 15 to 25. Shortly after, a 16-year-old girl was shot and critically wounded in a North Lawndale residential complex on the city’s West Side. She was in the 1200 block of South Central Park Avenue when someone shot her in the head. Around 7:05 a.m. on Friday, July 5th, police found a man and woman who were shot in the 3400 block of East 87th Street. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Two women, 59 and 29, were shot around 11:50 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th, in the 900 block of North Leclaire Avenue. The older woman was shot in her hip and head. She later died at the hospital. The younger woman was shot in the torso and remains in fair condition. Around the same time, a 35-year-old man was arguing with a gunman in the 6000 block of South Winchester Avenue when the gunman shot him several times. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. An hour prior, a 30-year-old man was standing in the street with a crowd in the 8400 block of South Kerfoot Avenue when he was shot in the torso. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. Hours later, around 2:10 a.m. on Friday, July 5th, officers responded to calls of a person shot in the 1200 block of West Washburne Avenue and found a 45-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. A 34-year-old man was shot in the neck around 1:00 a.m. on July 4th. He also died from his injuries. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responded to the violence, saying in part, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities impacted.” click here for your FREE Subscription. The Blues - August ‘24 51