A 30-year-old woman was shot in the abdomen during the commission of a robbery in the 1000 block of North Damen Avenue at about 1:25 a.m., police News Affairs Officer Amina Greer said. The suspect took the woman's purse. She was taken in critical condition to Cook County's John H. Stroger Hospital but is now stable.
Five minutes later and about two blocks away, a 27-year-old man was robbed and shot in the face in the 2100 block of West Thomas Street, Greer said. He was taken to Stroger in stable condition.
The victim told detectives he was walking home on Thomas Street when a male approached him from behind, demanded his money and took his backpack, according to Greer. The suspect then shot him in the face and ran off.
Neighbors were awakened by the gunfire and the man's screams.
"I just instinctively jumped out of bed and my daughter was running to get us because she heard it as well," said Christian Rodriguez, resident.
"The guy and I heard the woman gave up her purse and he shot him in the head. It's frightening. It's just a different level," said Wendy Keller, resident.
"Right now, there is nothing life-threatening on either patient. They are both very fortunate," said Dr. Andrew Dennis, a surgeon at John H. Stroger Hospital.
The incidents have left residents concerned, and police are trying to determine whether one person committed both robberies and shootings.
One of the incidents happened in Alderman Scott Waguespack's 32nd Ward. He is using social media to warn residents throughout the area.
"What we are trying to do is get more information about the offenders and work with the police. Really we have seen an uptick of activity in recent months, a year. And we are really working to make sure we have the right amount of patrols out there," said Ald. Waguespack.
Police continue to search for suspects on Friday.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
