A 23-year-old man was critically wounded in a shooting Sunday morning in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, and one of two people who confronted him was also left in critical condition after he pulled a gun and fired back, according to police. The violence unfolded in broad daylight along a stretch of West Cermak Road, leaving investigators piecing together what triggered the confrontation.
Police said the 23-year-old was outside in the 3100 block of West Cermak Road at about 10:25 a.m. Sunday when two people approached him on foot, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. A physical altercation broke out between the man and the two people before he pulled out a gun and fired toward them, police said.
One of the two people was struck and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, the same report states. Police said no other injuries were reported beyond the two critical patients. Officers noted that the 23-year-old had a valid concealed-carry license and firearm owner's identification card at the time of the shooting.
Detectives Questioning a Person of Interest
Area 4 detectives were speaking with a person of interest in the hours after the shooting, the outlet reported. Investigators have not disclosed what led to the confrontation or whether it was connected to any prior dispute between those involved.
The same incident was also reported by WBEZ, which confirmed the basic circumstances of the Sunday morning shooting. Neither outlet has identified the 23-year-old, the two people who approached him, or the person of interest detectives are speaking with.
A Different Little Village Shooting Led to Charges
Little Village has seen gun violence before, though the circumstances don't always end the same way. In a separate case reported by FOX 32 Chicago, 46-year-old Jose Fernandez allegedly shot a 48-year-old man in the shoulder in the 2900 block of West 25th Place around 10 p.m. before fleeing in an SUV. That victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and listed in good condition, and Fernandez was arrested about an hour later in the Douglas Park neighborhood, facing five felony charges including aggravated battery and discharge of a weapon.
That case is unrelated to Sunday's shooting on Cermak Road, but it underscores how quickly these incidents can escalate in the neighborhood. As of now, no charges have been announced in connection with Sunday's shooting, and police have not said whether the 23-year-old faces any legal exposure tied to his use of the firearm.
What Remains Unknown
Much about Sunday's shooting is still unclear. Police have not released an updated condition for either the 23-year-old or the person taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, and it has not been established whether the 23-year-old has been arrested, charged, or detained. The identities of everyone involved, including the person of interest, remain unreleased as the investigation continues.
