During a violent weekend, authorities stated that on Monday morning, a minimum of 40 individuals were injured by gunfire, with seven of them losing their lives. This tragic incident involved four teenagers, one of whom was only 14 years old, and it occurred throughout various locations in Chicago.
Officials, as per, he stood on a pavement when another individual was fatally shot while sitting in his car at a traffic signal. A significant gathering in a park and a party on a nearby street witnessed the outbreaks of gunfire.
As per the Chicago Police Department, the authorities looked into 33 distinct shooting occurrences, which included the seven deaths, from 6 p.M. On Friday until 11:59 p.M. On Sunday.
On Monday, family members stated that Rayjohn Harshaw, a 14-year-old who was recognized by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, was the youngest fatality in the shootings that occurred over the weekend and was about to begin his initial day of high school.
Officials stated that the young boy was transported to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he was declared deceased approximately at 8:40 p.M. On Saturday. Law enforcement mentioned that Harshaw sustained gunshot wounds to his head and chest shortly before 7 p.M. On Saturday while on a street close to his residence situated on the South Side of the urban area.
No arrests have been reported in the murder of the boy.
Harshaw’s aunt, Athena Harshaw, informed ABC Chicago station WLS-TV that “He never had the opportunity to attend school. He didn’t pursue higher education. He didn’t reach the age of 18. He didn’t even make it to 16. He was merely 14. They snatched him away from this world because he had the potential to achieve greatness.”
In accordance with the most recent crime data from the Chicago Police Department, there has been a slight decrease in shootings and homicides in Chicago when compared to the previous year. The number of shooting incidents in the city has dropped by 10% since this time last year, and homicides have decreased by 6% compared to 2022. The weekend’s acts of violence occurred despite these declines.
No arrests have been reported in the murder case. As per a police incident report, the perpetrator escaped on foot and proceeded to shoot at the victim. The victim, a man aged between 30 and 40, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in the West Garfield Park area, contributing to the increasing number of fatalities over the weekend, according to the police.
As per authorities, the deceased individual was declared deceased at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was transported. The operator was struck multiple instances when an individual within the automobile initiated gunfire. The incident took place on the northern region of the city when a white Sports Utility Vehicle approached the victim’s vehicle. As stated by law enforcement, a male in his mid-twenties lost his life while situated inside a vehicle at a traffic signal around 3:36 a.M. On Sunday during an unrelated lethal shooting.
No perpetrator or individuals have been identified in the deadly shooting.
Killed teenager participated in a program against violence
As per a police incident report, Ashuntice Wilburn, a 17-year-old girl, tragically lost her life during her presence at a block party organized at Galewood Park in the North Austin neighborhood of the city on Saturday. Authorities have stated that a 16-year-old boy, who was also present at the block party, was taken to the hospital due to being shot in the leg.
Antoinette Coleman, who was present at the block party with her grandchildren, expressed to WLS-TV that her immediate instinct was to quickly secure her beloved grandchildren and shield them from harm upon hearing the gunshots.
“We are unable to visit the park, as the parks are not secure,” Coleman stated.
No arrests have been declared for the murder of Wilburn.
“When I reflect on her life, she was only beginning her journey,” Wilburn’s grandmother, Patty Ringo, shared with WLS-TV.
Wilburn and Ringo said that their granddaughter had been excited about beginning her senior year of high school on Monday, and she also volunteered at a local church in an anti-violence program.
Ringo said, “We had plans to go to Miami. She had a birthday coming up on October 31. We were planning all kinds of activities for this year, you know.”
4 teenagers injured in a sizable gathering shooting
In the Washington Heights community on the South Side, as per law enforcement, a 34-year-old male was fatally shot in a drive-by attack in the early hours of Saturday while he was standing on a pavement. The killing of the man is also being probed by homicide detectives. On Monday, investigators were still working on identifying potential culprits in the murder.
No arrests have been reported in the incident. The individuals affected ranged in age from 17 to 19. The gunfire occurred at approximately 11:50 p.M. In the North Lawndale area of the city’s West Side, as indicated by law enforcement. On Friday night, during another sizable gathering, four teenagers were injured by gunshots when two attackers approached and began shooting at the group, seemingly without any prior notice, as described by the police.
A teenage victim was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital after being shot in the head and abdomen. The shooting occurred just before 10 p.M. In the West Garfield Park neighborhood, as stated by the police. Another fatal shooting took place on Friday night, where an 18-year-old man suffered multiple bullet wounds when someone opened fire on a car.
The reason for the shooting is still being investigated and no arrests have been announced.
A 16-year-old boy was killed on Friday night in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood, southwest part of the city, when someone shot him multiple times around 8 p.M. He was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the police arrests announcement.