A quiet West Lawn block turned into a crime scene early Saturday when a 19-year-old man was shot and killed in what police say may have been a drive-by on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
Officers found the victim outside on the 4000 block of W. 69th Street a little before 2 a.m. He had been hit multiple times, including a gunshot wound to his lower back. He was taken to Christ Hospital, where he later died.
Police responded to the scene and Area detectives have opened an investigation, according to FOX 32 Chicago. A preliminary probe suggests the shooters may have been traveling in a car, and officers reported no other injuries. Authorities had not publicly identified the victim as of early Saturday.
Police Urging Witnesses To Come Forward
Area detectives are canvassing the neighborhood, pulling video and interviewing anyone who might have seen or heard something as they work to piece the case together. The Chicago Police Department is asking anyone with information to submit tips or contact detectives through the department’s online tip portal, as outlined by the Chicago Police Department. In an emergency, residents should call 9-1-1.
How This Fits The Southwest Side Picture
West Lawn and nearby Southwest Side blocks have seen multiple shootings in recent months, and local reporting has highlighted earlier violent incidents in the area, including a holiday horror on Kostner. Local coverage and the city’s open-data tools are often used to track block-level patterns, according to the City of Chicago Data Portal. Neighbors and community groups say video and tips from the public are frequently crucial to these investigations.
Area detectives continue to investigate and have released few additional details. This story will be updated as police release more information or identify a suspect.
