An alarming incident occurred outside Perspectives High School of Technology and Leadership Academy in Chatham on Tuesday morning, where a 15-year-old girl was caught in gunfire around 7:40 a.m. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, the girl was walking outside the school when a black sedan approached, and two men emerged from the vehicle, opening fire. She was struck and later taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, fortunately in fair condition.
Following the shooting, the school was put on a soft lockdown, disrupting the morning's routine. A Perspectives spokesperson, Holly Copeland, relayed that counseling services have been made available for the student body, expressing compassion for all affected: "Our thoughts are with the students, their families, and all those impacted by this tragic incident," Copeland stated, as obtained by Chicago Sun-Times. Families rushed to the school once notified to ensure their children's safety.
Concerned parent Thea Handy, in an interview with WGN-TV, succinctly captured this sentiment, saying, “I don’t’ know what went down,” mother Thea Handy said. “It’s very scary.” Amid the chaos of this ordeal, emotions ran high, with one student declaring her intention to transfer schools as she left the premises.
The police are probing into the incident, and currently, no suspects are in custody. The school, in collaboration with law enforcement and the Chicago Public Schools Office of Safety and Security, is working ardently to ensure the safety of the students and to assist with the ongoing investigation. "This remains an active investigation, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement. We are also working closely with the Chicago Public Schools Office of Safety and Security to ensure safe passage home for all students," a school spokesperson confirmed, following the call to cancel classes for the day as reported by WGN-TV.
Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to submit tips anonymously at cpdtip.com, as authorities press for leads to apprehend those responsible.
