An early morning attempted theft in Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood escalated to violence when a Jesuit priest, Rev. Jeremiah Lynch, S.J., was fired upon near St. Ignatius College Prep. According to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times, the 73-year-old priest approached two individuals attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a car when one of the suspects shot at him, resulting in a graze wound to his forehead.
The incident, which occurred on the 1000 block of West Taylor Street around 6:00 a.m., prompted the Director of Communications at St. Ignatius, Kristyn Hartman, to express concern over the growing issue of such crimes in the city. "You have UIC right over there, you know, I represent Saint Ignatius College Prep, which is a couple blocks over – no part of the city is immune anymore," Hartman said in an interview obtained by CBS Chicago. In her statement, Hartman questioned the valuation of material goods over human life, wondering, "Since when is a catalytic converter more important than a life?"
Fr. Lynch, well-known for his work as a chaplain at Cook County Jail, was fortunate to only be slightly injured. He later told the Chicago Sun-Times, "I’m praying for the person who shot at me." The incident led St. Ignatius officials to remind students and parents to remain vigilant and to quickly contact the police if they witness any similar activity.
As the investigation proceeded, there was no immediate description of the assailants nor any arrests made, while the community grappled with safety concerns. "We love our neighborhood," said Hartman, emphasizing the need to ensure its safety for everyone like students and residents. Police in the Near West (12th) District advise community members to always call 911 rather than try to directly intervene in such incidents.
