Four boys between the ages of 12 and 14 were shot Saturday night on Chicago's South Side in Bronzeville, a jarring burst of gunfire on a residential stretch of South Prairie Avenue. Police said officers responded around 9:39 p.m. to the 4500 block and found the boys close to one another after an unknown person opened fire.
Three of the victims were taken to Comer Children's Hospital and the fourth to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Authorities said three of the boys were in good condition, while a 14-year-old was listed as fair.
What Police Say Happened
According to FOX 32 Chicago, officers arriving on the scene found four juvenile victims and learned that an unidentified gunman had opened fire on the group.
The outlet reports the victims included two 13-year-olds, one shot in the left foot and the other in the right leg, along with a 12-year-old who was shot in the left leg. The fourth victim, a 14-year-old, suffered a graze wound to his back. Police said Area detectives are investigating and did not immediately release additional information.
Bronzeville Violence in a Spring Upswing
The shooting adds to a string of violent incidents that have unsettled Bronzeville this spring, as neighbors watch the calendar creep toward the warmer months. Recent weeks have seen several shootings in the neighborhood, part of a broader uptick in gun violence across the city.
Reporting by WTTW shows that shootings and homicides citywide increased in March 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier. In one separate Bronzeville incident, the Chicago Sun‑Times reported that a 15‑year‑old boy was critically wounded in a shooting.
Against that backdrop, neighbors and community organizations have been pressing for stepped-up patrols and more youth outreach, especially as summer programs begin to ramp up and kids spend more time outside.
Investigation Ongoing, Few Answers So Far
The Chicago Police Department told local outlets that no arrests had been made as of Sunday and urged anyone with information to reach out to Area detectives.
Per FOX 32 Chicago, officers have not released a suspect description and have not offered a possible motive. Police also did not say whether the boys knew one another or if investigators believe the shooting was targeted.
