Chicago found itself grappling with a surge in school violence this week after yet another shooting left a student dead and two others injured outside Senn High School in Edgewater. The tragic incident unfolded Wednesday afternoon shortly after students were dismissed, marking the city's second fatal school shooting in less than a week. In response, the Chicago Police Department has moved to visibly increase patrols around the educational institution, particularly during key periods of student arrivals and departures.
16-year-old Daveon Gibson was pronounced dead following the attack, which witnesses said involved multiple assailants emerging from a vehicle to open fire. Another 16-year-old remains hospitalized in "grave condition," while the efforts to stabilize a 15-year-old appear hopeful, as confirmed by authorities. According to a statement obtained by NBC Chicago, the heightened police presence is part of a broader strategy to assure the community and to deter further acts of violence.
Amid the shock and despair, Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the recent violence, labeling the shootings as "acts of terror" that are "tearing at the fabric of the city." Committed to not let fear govern, he declared, "My children will be in school tomorrow. And children across the city will be in schools tomorrow." He further vowed to "do everything in our power to make sure that our young people are safe," as reported by NBC Chicago. CPD Superintendent Snelling added that despite the proximity in occurrences, there is no evidence to suggest a connection between the shootings at Senn High School and last week's incident near Innovations High School.
Dalia Vicens, a longtime resident, expressed her disbelief and sorrow over the event in an interview with ABC7 Chicago, saying, "My gosh I can't believe it, you know. I feel so bad for the parents of these kids." The same source reported that alongside increased police presence, counselors have been made available at Senn High School to support grieving students. Some parents have openly voiced their concerns, with Nicole Erazo noting the lockdown imposed at her workplace a few blocks from the school, immediately following the shooting incident. Adam Whipple, another parent, told ABC7 Chicago about his daughter's apprehension, "She doesn't know any of the students, so I think that she's less affected than other students but she's still a little nervous about coming to school today." Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial has begun to accumulate where the tragedy transpired, bearing silent witness to a community's loss and resilience.
