4 shot near Schurz High School in Irving Park in apparent drive-by, Chicago police say
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago fire officials said four people were shot near Carl Schurz High School in Irving Park Wednesday.
A spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department said the victims were shot at Milwaukee and Addison, around 2:45 p.m., just about 10 minutes before class was about to let out.
Police said a dark colored SUV pulled up on Addison and someone inside opened fire at a group of people on the patio of an ice cream shop just south of the intersection. The SUV then fled eastbound on Addison.
Police said a 15-year-old boy was struck in the face and neck and taken to Lurie Children's Hospital in critical condition. Another 15-year-old boy was struck in the back and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
A 17-year-old boy was taken to Community First Hospital in good condition with a graze wound to the leg, and an 18-year-old boy was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center also in good condition with a gunshot wound to the leg.
CPD had said all four were CPS students, but later corrected themselves, saying two of the victims are CPS students, one attends an alternative school and the fourth victim is an 18-year-old man may not be a student.
"This is very upsetting, and we understand that, and we're very upset ourselves and frustrated with this. Our number one priority is the safety of our kids," said Dep. Chief Robert Nieves.
Police said dismissal times at schools are staggered, so there were some students out of school while the majority of Schurz students were inside at the time of the shooting.
No one is in custody and an investigation is ongoing. Police are looking for video in the neighborhood that may have captured the shooting.
Mily Garcia was waiting outside the school to pick up her daughter when she saw someone open fire from a passing SUV at a group at La Michoacána ice cream shop, a popular hangout spot for students after school.
She said the school was locked down and she was still waiting for her daughter to be released from classes at 3:30 p.m.
Students said the school was immediately placed on a soft lockdown. One student who was in class and heard gunfire said it appeared to be a drive-by shooting.
"So I was in class and right behind me I heard about four or five gunshots, and a few of us kind of ducked down when we heard that," said Eric Estrada, student.
Estrada said he looked out a window and saw an injured person on the sidewalk and shortly after that another victim being taken to an ambulance in a wheelchair.
Chicago Public Schools released a statement, saying, "Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is working closely with Chicago Police Department (CPD) as we respond to a shooting near one of our high schools, just prior to the school's dismissal bell. The school went on a lockdown while the CPD responded and that lockdown has since been lifted and students have been released. We will communicate any additional information with the school community. Our thoughts are with those individuals injured in this incident."
In 2019, a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed when a gunman standing on a corner near Schurz High School shot at his car. In 2006, three students were shot across the street from the school.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
