Two men were shot outside an auto body shop on Chicago’s North Side on Wednesday afternoon, turning a routine workday in West Ridge into a chaotic street emergency and leaving one victim fighting for his life.
Witnesses described a sudden burst of gunfire, followed by medics rushing in as squad cars and ambulances packed the 6300 block of North Claremont Avenue. Employees from the nearby shop watched as first responders treated the wounded on the sidewalk before both men were rushed to the hospital.
According to WGN-TV, the shooting happened just before 3:30 p.m. Two men, ages 31 and 24, were hit by the gunfire while they were standing on the sidewalk. Police said the 31-year-old was shot in the back and left shoulder and was listed in critical condition. The 24-year-old suffered an abdominal wound and was reported in fair condition at St. Francis Hospital.
Neighborhood context
The block is no stranger to police alerts. Earlier this year, the 6300 stretch of North Claremont and surrounding commercial corridors were flagged in a crime advisory after a run of forced-entry business burglaries on the North Side. The January alert, which covered Edgewater, Uptown and West Ridge, urged business owners to stay on their toes, as reported by CBS Chicago.
Investigation underway
Area Three detectives are handling the case, and as of now police have not released any suspect description or announced any arrests, according to WGN-TV. A mechanic at the auto body shop told the station that one of the wounded men ran inside the business looking for help after being shot, adding to the confusion as workers tried to figure out what had just happened outside their doors.
Detectives are still piecing together the moments leading up to the gunfire and are asking for the public’s help to fill in the gaps.
How neighbors can help
Anyone who saw the shooting or has video from security cameras, dashcams or phones that might show the incident is urged to contact Chicago police. In an emergency, residents should call 911. For nonemergency information and tips, they can reach out to the CPD tip line or contact Area Three detectives directly.
This story will be updated as officials release more details about the investigation and the conditions of the two wounded men.
