East Garfield Park drive-by shooting wounds 14, including 3-year-old; 1 hit by car: Chicago police
Victims include 3-year-old, 11-year-old and teenager, CPD says
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Fourteen people, including children, were hurt in a shooting on Halloween night on Chicago's West Side.
Chicago police said the shooting happened near California Avenue and Polk Street in East Garfield Park after 9 p.m. Monday, when a large group had gathered for a vigil and balloon release honoring a woman who died of natural causes.
A 15th person was also hospitalized after being hit by a car, CPD said.
"It's heartbreaking. People go out to memorialize someone and ultimately become victims, so that is a challenge," 28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin.
The youngest victim is 3 years old. An 11-year-old and a teenager, who may be 13, were also shot. The other victims are in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, according to police.
The victims' conditions vary from very serious injuries to non-life threatening injuries. At least six people are listed in serious or critical condition at nearby hospitals. There are not yet any reported fatalities.
Family identified one of the victims as Pierre Riley. They said the vigil was being held for one of his close friends.
"We're asking people to pray for his strength and recovery because he was a loveable and likeable person," said his stepdaughter Artkeshia McGee. "Everybody around here loved him and liked him."
His stepdaughter said the 48-year-old was shot in the head and is listed in critical condition as he clings to life.
"I just want to keep my mind on being positive for him. So, everything's going to be alright," McGee said.
"We're gonna be working with the families to try to bring some comfort and some trauma counseling to these families, but it's just a shame these babies are in here ... anyone is in here," community activist Andrew Holmes said.
Police said the woman who was struck by the car was attempting to run away at the time.
Police believe they're looking for two suspects who fired shots from a dark-colored SUV. They were last seen driving south on California from the scene.
Police said the shooters appeared to fire indiscriminately into the crowd.
"We always worry about retaliation obviously, but we don't know enough about this, whether it involved a gang conflict or some personal conflict yet, but as soon as we know we'll share that with the public," Brown said. "And obviously we're deploying extra police resources in the area to make sure that we can prevent any retaliation if that's something that's real."
Brown said the shooting was over in a matter of seconds. It was captured on POD video, which police are reviewing.
There is no known motive for the shooting at this time, and Brown said there were no known conflicts at the corner Monday night.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Chicago police, and a reward of up to $15,000 is being offered for information leading to charges and/or a conviction in this incident.
As the investigation continues, Alderman Ervin said anti-violence groups are trying to find ways to immediately help the community.
"We're just trying to make sure something else like this does not happen and again keep the peace in the community," he said.
In a statement, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in part, "Last night, terror touched the lives of 14 individuals, including three children, in another tragic display of gun violence by cowards indiscriminately shooting into a crowd. The shooters had no concerns for the lives of the adults and children impacted, but I am calling on people of goodwill who have information, to come forward. None of us can be silent when faced with this kind of tragedy."
No one is in custody. An investigation by Chicago police is ongoing.
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