Two teenage boys were shot and killed while walking out of a high school Friday afternoon in the Loop, Chicago police said.
The shooting took place around 12:25 p.m. near Washington Street and Wabash Avenue.
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The boys were among a group of students walking out of the Innovations High School, police said. Two cars arrived at the scene, and a group of masked offenders fired shots at the students, striking the two victims.
"A group of individuals exited said vehicles, fired multiple times, striking two of the teenaged students of Innovations High School," CPD Deputy Chief Jon Hein said.
CPD said the teen boys both died due to their injuries. They were identified as 16-year-old Robert Boston and 17-year-old Monterio Williams.
They were both initially taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. No one else was injured in the shooting, police said.
A woman who was also on the sidewalk near the students said her coat was grazed by a bullet from the shooting.
"Wherever the tragedy like this strikes in the city, it's heartbreaking for families and everybody affected by the tragedy, no matter where it happens," Hein said.
Innovations High School Principal Alicia Shines issued a statement on Facebook Friday night about the tragedy.
"It is with profound sadness and deep sorrow that we come together to mourn the devastating loss of two of our students, who were tragically shot and killed today while being dismissed for the weekend," the statement read. "This incident has devastated our students, faculty, staff, and community at large. We appreciate the outpouring of support as our school grapples with this senseless act of violence."
2 students killed in Loop shooting while exiting high school: CPD
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"We heard two people got shot and stuff, and we like, 'what?'" a student at the high school said. "And they put us on lockdown."
Innovations High School is a Chicago Public Schools charter school located on State Street.
"We was looking out the window," a student witness said. "We heard the gunshots.... and we was like, 'dang,' cause there don't really be gunshots around here like that."
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"I extend my deepest condolences to their families and the Innovations High School community as they grapple with unimaginable pain and trauma caused by this senseless act of violence," a statement from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson read in part. "My prayers and those of my entire administration are with everyone impacted during this difficult time."
Witnesses described the moments before the rapid gunfire.
"I was coming out of Burlington. Like, I'm trying to go shopping. The next thing you know we were heard a big whole argument," witness Sade Craig said. "Then, next thing you know we hear shots going off. Like 20 shots."
Multiple surrounding businesses were placed on lockdown as officers scoured the area, searching for the suspects.
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"It was something like a firecracker," business owner Mohammad Ashiq said. "Like 10-15 shots, like boom, boom, boom!"
There was a large police presence under the L tracks. CTA trains bypassed the stop at Washington and Wabash due to the police activity.
First responders could be seen performing CPR at one point.
"As a mom, we're thinking our kids are at school. Whole time, we're not knowing that our kids on the way to the hospital, and it's sad that our children have to go through this in Chicago," Craig said.
Private security guard Kevin Watson said with a TV show filming an episode in the area recently, he first didn't think the gunshots were real, until he looked out the window.
"Sitting here, normal day, and heard about 8-10 shots and seen the crowd running, and that's when I got up, went outside and saw two of the kids from alternative school," Watson said.
No one is in custody as police continue to investigate. The shooting is believed to be isolated.
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