A Christmas night house party in Aurora turned into a crime scene when gunfire tore through a home on the city’s West Side, sending three women to the hospital and rattling the neighborhood.
Police said officers were called at about 8:08 p.m. to the 300 block of Sunset Avenue, where they found three women with gunshot wounds inside a residence. The victims, ages 34, 36 and 55, were taken to a local hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening.
Police Investigating, Still Searching For Shooter
According to NBC Chicago, Aurora detectives and evidence technicians spent the night processing the scene while officers searched for a suspect. Investigators said they were reviewing surveillance video from the area, and as of Friday night, no arrests had been announced.
Shots Fired From Outside, Neighbors Stunned
Per Patch, Aurora police said their preliminary investigation indicates the shooter fired from outside the home, hitting people inside as a holiday gathering was underway.
"I was sitting in my chair, reading, and I heard five pops, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop," a nearby resident told NBC Chicago, describing a burst of gunfire that cut through the quiet Christmas night.
Officials said evidence technicians collected forensic evidence at the scene as detectives worked to piece together what happened and who pulled the trigger.
How Residents Can Help Police
Aurora police asked anyone with information to contact the department’s Investigations Division at (630) 256-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000 or online at p3tips.com/135, according to CBS Chicago.
Crime Stoppers is offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information that leads to felony arrests, the station reported.
Broader Context
The shooting comes on the heels of other recent violence in Aurora. In late November, a shooting at Two Brothers Roundhouse left two people dead and another critically injured, the local paper reported. In that case, authorities also asked residents to share video and contact investigators, underscoring how heavily detectives are leaning on community tips, as Shaw Local reported.
The Aurora Police Department says the Christmas night investigation remains active and that more details will be released as they are confirmed, according to FOX 32 Chicago. No further information was available Friday night.
