Community leaders want national anti-violence summit in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Following one of the deadliest months in Chicago history, ministers and community leaders gathered Monday in search of solutions to stopping the violence.

This summer, Hyde Park resident Jim Bloom was forced to pay attention after there were gun shots outside of his baby daughter's window.

"We were barely done with dinner when the first round of shots happened, 7ish, 7:30. Four shots rang out, and then we thought everything had calmed down, and then at 10 o'clock, another shot was fired," Bloom said.

Now, Bloom stands with a group of Chicago clergy and politicians calling for a national summit on anti-violence in Chicago.

"Three shootings in front of our building within the last two months. Shootings in front of his baby's window in Hyde Park, the president's neighborhood," said Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow PUSH.

"Parts of my district - Austin, North Lawndale, East and West Garfield, Maywood - have become war zones," said Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin.

With the nation's attention on the mass shooting in Oregon, some locally say there needs to be more attention and more federal resources in Chicago.

Just last week, a grandmother, mother and baby shot were shot just after coming home and another mother at a family celebration was shot and killed with her daughter nearby.

"If you haven't been hit yet, we could be next. It could be your turn next or my turn next. This is really serious," said Rev. Ira Acree, Greater St. John Bible Church.

Those who met Monday at Rainbow PUSH say efforts locally are not enough.

"Whether it is a hurricane, or whether it's flooding on the East Coast, when the federal government steps in, they bring resources, they bring solutions, they bring answers," said Fr. Michael Pfleger, St. Sabina Church.

Last month, there were 60 homicides in Chicago - the deadliest September since 2002.