A quiet stretch of North Cicero Avenue turned violent early Wednesday when a 35-year-old man was wounded in a drive-by shooting on Chicago’s West Side. The attack unfolded around 1:25 a.m. in the 400 block of North Cicero in the Austin neighborhood, when a white minivan pulled up, and someone inside opened fire into the man’s vehicle, according to Chicago police.
He was struck in the left forearm but kept moving, managing to flag down officers nearby. Police then took him to Stroger Hospital, where he was listed in good condition. Detectives with the Chicago Police Department’s Area Four unit are handling the case. No arrests had been reported as of Wednesday.
What the police say
According to FOX 32 Chicago, officers said the shooter pulled alongside the victim’s car and fired multiple rounds before speeding off in the white minivan. The victim continued driving until he found officers, who then transported him to Stroger Hospital.
Police told the outlet it was too early to say whether the shooting was random or targeted, and Area Four detectives are still piecing together what led up to the attack. Investigators have not publicly identified any suspects.
Austin has seen similar attacks
The Austin neighborhood and nearby stretches of Cicero Avenue have seen a string of vehicle-related shootings in recent months and years, adding to long-standing worries about late-night traffic and street violence on the West Side. CBS Chicago reported a fatal vehicle shooting in South Austin on March 2, and the Chicago Sun-Times has documented other drive-by attacks along Cicero Avenue in prior years.
What investigators are asking
Area Four detectives are urging anyone who saw the shooting or has video from the area to come forward, particularly if it could help identify the white minivan or those inside it, according to FOX 32 Chicago. The investigation remains active, and officers are leaning on the department’s usual tip channels for leads.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Four detectives or submit a tip through the Chicago Police Department’s established reporting options.
