A late-night argument in Chicago's Belmont Cragin neighborhood turned violent when a 43-year-old concealed carry license holder opened fire on three men attacking him in front of his home, authorities reported. The incident, which left four men, including the shooter, hospitalized in critical condition, occurred just before 11:30 p.m. Friday night.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the confrontation began outside the man's residence on the 4700 block of West Wrightwood Avenue. It escalated to a physical assault, prompting the man to discharge his weapon and hit all three of his assailants.
The individuals injured were a diverse group in age: a 29-year-old man who endured five gunshot wounds to the torso, a 22-year-old man hit in the chest, and a 55-year-old man shot in the neck. They were rushed to area hospitals. The 29-year-old and the shooter were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, while the other two victims were transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, as per police statements.
Recovering an article gun at the scene, authorities confirmed that the shooter was indeed a legal gun owner with a valid concealed carry license. The unnamed man himself suffered blunt force trauma to the head and is also listed in critical condition.
Family members have come to the defense of the shooter, depicting him as a stalwart and responsible member of the community. "He's a hard-working man. He's always with his kids. Taking them to baseball, baseball practice, everything you know, like his wife is a teacher. Very respectful family," Andres Salgado, a relative of the victim, told CBS News.
Neighborhood dynamics are hinted at being less than idyllic, with Salgado indicating that there had been previous problems with the occupants of a nearby residence. However, Chicago police stationed in Area 5 are still piecing together the details, and no charges had been filed in connection with the shooting by Saturday. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
