A Chicago Public Schools student was fatally shot and two others sustained injuries in a shooting incident in the city's Edgewater neighborhood. The violence unfolded Wednesday afternoon on the 1200 block of W. Thorndale Avenue when assailants emerged from a vehicle and started shooting at the teens.
One victim, 16-year-old Daveon Gibson was hit in the chest and later pronounced dead at St. Francis Hospital, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Another 16-year-old suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was listed in grave condition, while a 15-year-old was shot in the leg but is in good condition, both were taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, according to information provided by FOX 32 Chicago. These shootings occurred just blocks away from Senn High School, where the victims were enrolled.
At a press conference, Mayor Brandon Johnson made an emotional plea, stating, "No parent should have to bury their child." He expressed the collective heartache of the city and pledged comprehensive government action to address the violence. Johnson, along with Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling promised that the city would extend counseling services to the students and families affected by the recent spate of violence, the Sun-Times detailed.
Snelling assured the public that detectives were delving into the matter and believed the boys were targeted although, connections to a separate incident where two CPS students were fatally shot outside Innovations High School last week have been ruled out. "The full force of government will be used to bring those individuals to justice," Johnson declared, in what was a grim repeat of violence among young people in the city.
As the investigation continues, no suspects have been taken into custody. The authorities are urging the community to collaborate with law enforcement to help curb the ongoing crisis of youth violence in Chicago. Snelling highlighted the need for community action, noting, "When you see kids who need help, reach out and point them in our direction so we can help," during a public hearing on the West Side as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
