Local media reports say that at least 41 people were shot in Chicago in a 24-hour-period over the weekend, leaving at least three dead. And on Sunday, Aug. 5, at least 25 people were shot in just under three hours.
The 41 shootings took place from 11 a.m. Saturday to Sunday morning. ABC7 in Chicago, meanwhile, noted that between Friday night and Sunday, 57 people have been shot across the city, leaving six dead in all.
CHICAGO: Over 20+ people were shot during my overnight shift this Saturday, August 4, 2018. One of the most violent #Overnights I've seen in a long time. Multiple mass shootings covered by the CN news team. Now on @CapturedNews #OverNightBreakingNews#BREAKINGNEWS pic.twitter.com/89fkDWPZC0
— CapturedNews Shooter (@CNshooter) August 5, 2018
The Chicago Tribune, in describing the weekend carnage, reported on Aug. 5 that four were shot in the 1600 block of South Avers in the Lawndale neighborhood, eight were shot in the 1300 block of West 76th Street in Gresham, six were shot in Lawndale later on, four more were shot in West Humboldt Park, and three were shot in West Garfield Park. Two men were also shot in the 6800 block of Wood Street.
Sixteen of the victims were teenagers, according to the Tribune, and a dozen of them were aged 17 or younger.
“If they [the shooters] shoot you they don’t even run,” a man told the Chicago Tribune about the shooting. “They just walk away, they ain’t trying to run.”
‘Related to Chicago Gang Conflicts’
Police Patrol Chief Fred Waller said in a news conference Sunday that the shootings once again show “the devastating effects that illegal guns have in our communities,” USA Today reported.
“We know that some of these incidents were targeted and are related to gang conflicts in those areas,” he also said, ABC7 reported.
City of Big Shootings: 30 shot since midnight in Chicago; 48 this weekend; 6 dead. Many were mass shootings; as usual many victims are teenagers. #hotweather @ABC7Chicago #ITeam https://t.co/UmJiDuS6qv pic.twitter.com/t2ZRFT4xJy
— ChuckGoudie (@ChuckGoudieABC7) August 5, 2018
Waller also suggested that the heat is a factor, as it brings crowds of people out into the streets, particularly after violence has occurred. He said the police department is working hard to prevent crime.
“We can never measure what we prevent,” he said. “And it’s not just about being hot. Sometimes it’s about the culture, about feeling like there are no repercussions.”
Police confirmed to ABC7 that there was a “trauma lockdown” at Stroger Hospital, and only immediate family members can visit victims. But a Stroger Hospital spokesperson denied the claim.
“Over the past 24 hours, Stroger’s trauma unit received an unusually high volume of patients. At no time did Stroger go on bypass or ‘lockdown’ its trauma unit,” the spokeswoman told the station. “We are asking the families of trauma patients to limit visitation at this time to immediate family members only so staff may focus on patient care. “
