A Wednesday night drive through Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood ended in gunfire when, according to police, a passenger opened fire inside a moving car and shot the 18-year-old driver before also wounding himself.
The shooting unfolded around 8 p.m. as the vehicle traveled northbound in the 3500 block of South Richmond Street. Both the 18-year-old woman and the 39-year-old man were rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. Police said the passenger was detained at the scene, and officers recovered a firearm from the vehicle.
Police: Shots Fired From Passenger Seat
Chicago police said the 39-year-old man was riding in the passenger seat when he fired the shots that struck the young woman driving, causing her to veer off the road, according to CBS Chicago. The outlet reported she was shot in the abdomen and taken to Mount Sinai in critical condition. Investigators have not released any information about a possible motive, and the probe remains active.
Critical Condition And Ongoing Investigation
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that both people were listed in critical condition at Mount Sinai and that the man was taken into custody after officers recovered a weapon from the car. The Sun-Times also noted it was not yet clear who fired the shots that struck the passenger. No charges had been announced as of the latest reports, and detectives from the Chicago Police Department’s Area One unit are leading the investigation.
Brighton Park’s Violent Year
Brighton Park has seen multiple shootings this year; a recent case in which a teen was killed in Brighton Park drew particular concern from neighbors and community leaders. Local outlets say investigators will look at whether this latest incident is connected to other recent violence or stands on its own.
Area One detectives continue to investigate, and police have not released additional details or a motive. Officials are asking anyone with information to contact detectives, according to reporting from ABC7 Chicago.
