Gun violence erupted near the United Center on the Near West Side of Chicago, leaving two young men wounded late Thursday night in a street-side shootout, authorities said. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, the incident occurred in the 1800 block of West Monroe Street around 9:20 p.m., where an 18-year-old was shot seven times and a 20-year-old took a bullet to the neck; both were taken to Stroger Hospital and deemed to be in fair condition following the harrowing incident.

The shooters, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, emerged from a light-colored sedan and opened fire on the victims, launching multiple shots before fleeing the scene, no arrests have been made in connection with the shootings as police continue their search for the suspects. Meanwhile, the local community is left reeling from yet another act of senseless violence that shakes the already fragile fabric of the city's sense of security and peace.

Further adding to the grim narrative, officers faced a lack of cooperation from the victims, FOX 32 Chicago reports, with both men remaining silent and refusing to answer any questions about the incident, a move that could potentially stonewall the investigation led by Area Three detectives who are painstakingly working to uncover the motive and identify those responsible for the shooting.

Police are now appealing to the public for any information that may assist in capturing the perpetrators, whose brazen act of violence has once again underscored the persistent struggle against gun-related crimes in Chicago though details surrounding the shooting remain scant and motives unclear, the quest for justice for these young men and the restoration of tranquility in their community continues despite the setbacks and the refusal of victims to engage, a testament to the resilience yet pervading anguish that defines the city's ongoing battle with its demons.