A devastating shooting occurred early Thursday morning in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, leaving two women dead and three young boys critically injured, according to Chicago police. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, the incident took place around 6:15 a.m. in the 7100 block of South Woodlawn Avenue where officers discovered the victims after responding to a ShotSpotter alert and 911 calls.
The individuals harmed in this tragic event, the women aged 42 and 22, along with children aged 5, 7, and 8 were given first aid by officers on the scene. Tragically, the oldest woman succumbed to her injuries on the spot while the 22-year-old woman died after being rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center, according to CBS News Chicago. The children were taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in critical condition, police said.
Preliminary investigations by the Chicago Police Department suggest the violence was due to a personal dispute. Deputy Chief Don Jerome explained that shooters emerged from two vehicles and opened fire using a rifle, and handgun before fleeing. No suspects have been taken into custody thus far, and shell casings from both types of firearms were found at the scene. Area 1 detectives continue to review video surveillance as part of the ongoing investigation.
A local resident described the chilling moment to CBS News Chicago when they heard what was first mistaken for fireworks but turned out to be gunshots. "Thought it was fireworks, it wasn't fireworks. Two people jumping off the porch they had masks on so I couldn't even see no face they took off and they went right. They went straight down. I go to run back in the house to get away from that," the neighbor recounted. Further, Ald. Desmon Yancy appealed for a cessation of violence and stressed the deadly combination of personal conflict and guns.
The community is shaken by yet another act of senseless violence, and officials like Alderman Yancy are hoping this tragic trend does not continue. As summer progresses, the urgency to address gun-related violence intensifies. "This senseless violence has to stop. Personal conflict and guns its become a bad combination. You know, the summer is just getting started. I don't want to stand in front of another group of microphones and have another discussion about the pain that's causing our communities," Yancy emphasized in statements to the press. The public is urged to come forward with any information via CPDTip.com to assist in the investigation and hopefully bring about justice for the victims and their families.
