2 fatally shot inside car in Belmont Cragin after argument with another driver, Chicago police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are actively seeking leads after a man and woman were shot and killed in a vehicle in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood on the Northwest Side Thursday morning.

A 32-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were traveling in a vehicle in the 2500-block of North Lamon Avenue at about 5:49 a.m. when police said someone driving in front of them stepped out and approached them.

Police said the shooter was in the front vehicle, stopping it in the middle of the street and getting out to confront those behind him.

"I heard the first couple of shots," said Jonathan, a witness who preferred to remain anonymous. "And I had my son sleeping right next to me. My first instinct was, OK, I don't know where they're coming from, so I went towards my son to put my body over my son cause I'm by the window so in case of any bullets flying in."

Jonathan said he and his neighbors heard a verbal argument between who they believe was the shooter and the victims just before the first gunshots were fired.

"It was an actual SUV, tinted windows. We didn't see the person who shot the gun," Jonathan said. "We just saw him, he was already going. But neighbors said the shooter went towards Diversey and then came back around, just to probably double check that they were dead or not."

The bullet-riddled vehicle sat in the street for hours as police investigated.

The shooting has left neighbors horrified. Longtime resident Juan Rodriguez said the gunfire is nothing new.

"This isn't the first time it happens around here," he said. "We've been getting more and more gunshots, usually at 3 o'clock in the morning. Never at 6 o'clock in the morning."

"That's so scary, like I'm just shocked," neighbor Annette Vega said. "I mean I'm getting ready for work and I'm just seeing all of this and I'm just like you're not safe anywhere, not even at 5 in the morning."

The shooting happened directly across from Starting Point Community Church.

"We've seen instances like this in our neighborhood close by," Pastor Jonathan De La O said. "Not this close, but close by."

Rosario Villalobos, a member of Alliance Local Service Organization, a local non-profit that provides services to those who are impacted by gun violence in Belmont Cragin, walked the neighborhood after the shooting.

"It's just crazy. It's getting out of hand," Villalobos said, "We need a big change. We need to start coming together as a community, because I think that's what's lost."

Police canvassed the neighborhood for witnesses and video. So far, the motive is unclear.

"If it was road rage, it just teaches you just don't argue with anybody, just keep going," Vega said.

No one is in custody and Area Five detectives are investigating. Police are actively seeking the help of those in the neighborhood where the shooting took place.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.CPDTIP.com.