Following several shootings that left 82 injured and 14 dead over the Independence Day holiday weekend in Chicago, a young woman was killed and at least eight others injured in shootings since Monday evening.
The shootings occurred on the city’s South and West sides.
According to the Chicago Tribune:
The 19-year-old woman was walking down the sidewalk with a group of people in the 2200 block of West 69th Street on the South Side when someone on a bike approached and shot her about 7:05 p.m., according to police.
The woman, who has not been identified, was taken in critical condition to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where she was pronounced dead, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed the death.
The newest casualties join the more than six dozen who were shot over the course of 84 hours during the 4th of July weekend, prompting calls from Mayor Rahm Emanuel to put a stop to gun violence in the city. Many of the shootings, which began about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, took place in some of the most violent South Side neighborhoods. Five people were reportedly shot by Chicago police, including two who died.
Sadly, the number of dead could rise — several of the injured are currently listed in critical condition, but their statuses may change.
Still, the number of homicides in Chicago has steadily declined since 2012.
According to the Chicago Tribune, which keeps a tally of shooting victims, 1,129 have been shot so far this year in Chicago. According to the Tribune, there were 2,185 shooting victims in Chicago last year. Last week, Chicago police reported that the number of homicides in Chicago fell during the first half of the year compared with the same period last year. This year, Chicago had 172 homicides through June 30 — nine fewer than the same period last year and 82 fewer than during the first six months of 2012.
Our thoughts and prayers go to those who lost loved ones in the spree of violence. We’ll keep you updated with the latest from Chicago.
SOURCE: Chicago Tribune, LA Times | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
