Gun violence is down across America this year but it peaks every summer and Chicago’s Fourth of July weekend bore the data out, with 109 people shot, including 19 fatally, police said in a Monday news conference.
All of the victims were boys and men ranging in age from 16 to 36 years old, according to police records.
As of June 24, Chicago had seen 1,105 shooting incidents so far this year. The city had seen 271 gun deaths as of June 24, according to data from the Chicago Police Department.
Last year over the long holiday weekend, 57 people were shot and eight were killed between Friday, June 30 at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, July 4 at 11:59 p.m., according to Chicago police.
“When we look at what happened this weekend, we always like to say that it’s a police issue,” Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said at the news conference. “This is a societal issue. The police cannot be in everybody’s backyard. They cannot be in everyone’s home. They cannot invade every single gathering where there’s a possibility that someone may show up with a gun.”
“Everyone needs to be involved in this, this cannot just be the police department alone,” he added.
On Friday, after dozens of people had already been shot in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement addressing the violence.
“We are devastated by the recent violence that has left our city in a state of grief and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities impacted by these recent events,” Johnson said in the statement. “The City of Chicago is committed to ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors.”
The city had canceled time off for police officers to “maximize presence and ensure prompt incident response,” activated an emergency services assistance center to provide support to people in the community and would hold a community rally Friday afternoon to “promote bonding, support, and healing,” according to Johnson.
But the efforts did not end the shootings.
Snelling urged public cooperation and tips to lead detectives to suspects, especially those who “make the choice” to shoot women and children.
“Those people have to be taken off the street,” Snelling implored. “They have to be put away. If we’re not doing that, then we’re failing other families. We’re failing people in our city.”
One of those killed over the weekend was an 8-year-old-boy who was shot alongside two other boys, ages 5 and 8, according to the Chicago Police Department’s online records.
Several 15- to 16-year-olds were also among those shot over the weekend, police say.
In another instance, eight people between the ages of 18 and 74 suffered gunshot wounds and in a separate incident, seven people aged 15 to 40 years old were shot. The 40-year-old died, according to the police department.
Officers are training for the upcoming Democratic National Convention next month to be better prepared for potential protests or civil unrest, Snelling said.
All of the victims were boys and men ranging in age from 16 to 36 years old, according to police records.
As of June 24, Chicago had seen 1,105 shooting incidents so far this year. The city had seen 271 gun deaths as of June 24, according to data from the Chicago Police Department.
Last year over the long holiday weekend, 57 people were shot and eight were killed between Friday, June 30 at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, July 4 at 11:59 p.m., according to Chicago police.
“When we look at what happened this weekend, we always like to say that it’s a police issue,” Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said at the news conference. “This is a societal issue. The police cannot be in everybody’s backyard. They cannot be in everyone’s home. They cannot invade every single gathering where there’s a possibility that someone may show up with a gun.”
“Everyone needs to be involved in this, this cannot just be the police department alone,” he added.
On Friday, after dozens of people had already been shot in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement addressing the violence.
“We are devastated by the recent violence that has left our city in a state of grief and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities impacted by these recent events,” Johnson said in the statement. “The City of Chicago is committed to ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors.”
The city had canceled time off for police officers to “maximize presence and ensure prompt incident response,” activated an emergency services assistance center to provide support to people in the community and would hold a community rally Friday afternoon to “promote bonding, support, and healing,” according to Johnson.
But the efforts did not end the shootings.
Snelling urged public cooperation and tips to lead detectives to suspects, especially those who “make the choice” to shoot women and children.
“Those people have to be taken off the street,” Snelling implored. “They have to be put away. If we’re not doing that, then we’re failing other families. We’re failing people in our city.”
One of those killed over the weekend was an 8-year-old-boy who was shot alongside two other boys, ages 5 and 8, according to the Chicago Police Department’s online records.
Several 15- to 16-year-olds were also among those shot over the weekend, police say.
In another instance, eight people between the ages of 18 and 74 suffered gunshot wounds and in a separate incident, seven people aged 15 to 40 years old were shot. The 40-year-old died, according to the police department.
Officers are training for the upcoming Democratic National Convention next month to be better prepared for potential protests or civil unrest, Snelling said.
