Chicago shootings: Tracking gun violence in 2024

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Last updated: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 10:14PM GMT
ABC7 Chicago 24/7 Stream

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The city of Chicago continues to grapple with gun violence, which impacts hundreds of people every year. As of July 7, 2024, there have been almost 1,200 total reported shootings in the city, according to the Chicago Police Department.

"We cannot take our eyes off the ball," Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference following a violent July 4 holiday weekend. "We cannot stop thinking about the people who have been victimized by this crime."

While long holiday weekends often see a spike in gun violence, Chicago police and city officials are working to curb shootings and make the city safer.

These are the latest updates on gun violence in the city of Chicago in 2024.

Nov 24, 2024, 4:00 AM GMT

Woman shot near Macy's store in the Loop, CPD says

A woman was injured Saturday evening after a shooting in the Loop, Chicago fire officials said.

The shooting happened around 8:55 p.m. on a sidewalk in the 0-100 block of West Washington Street, Chicago police said. Police could also be seen investigating at the Macy's store on State Street.

The 19-year-old woman was shot by an unknown male offender while walking with a group of people on the sidewalk, CPD said. She was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she was initially listed in critical condition, CFD officials said. Chicago police later said she was in fair condition.

No arrests have been made and no further information was immediately available. Area Three detectives continue to investigate.

Nov 23, 2024, 1:37 PM GMT

Suspect killed, food vendor with Concealed-Carry License hurt in exchange of gunfire in Austin: CPD

A food vendor with a Concealed-Carry License shot and killed a man who pulled a gun on him Friday night, Chicago police said.

Police said the shooting happened in the South Austin neighborhood's 300-block of South Central Avenue just before 9 p.m.

A 30-year-old man approached a 35-year-old man, who is a food vendor, and there was a brief struggle, police said.

Police said the 30-year-old took out a gun, and the 35-year-old, who is a CCL holder, also took out a gun.

There was an exchange of gunfire, and the 30-year-old, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his body, was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The 35-year-old, shot in his right arm, was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition.

There were two firearms on the scene, and Area Four detectives are investigating, police said.

Police did not immediately provide further information about the shooting.

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Nov 20, 2024, 6:44 PM GMT

Heart of Chicago shooting kills man driving on SW Side, baby also injured, CPD says

A 35-year-old man was killed and a 6-month-old baby was grazed in a shooting on Chicago's Southwest Side Wednesday morning, Chicago police said.

The man was driving north in the 2400-block of South Oakley Avenue in Chicago's Heart of Chicago neighborhood about 10:45 a.m., when an unknown blue vehicle approached, and someone inside opened fire, police said.

The man was shot multiple times in his head and body, and crashed into two unoccupied parked vehicles, CPD said.

He died on the scene.

The baby boy in the backseat suffered a graze wound to his right cheek, and was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said.

Nov 19, 2024, 4:43 AM GMT

Retired Chicago police sergeant shot at least 3 times, critically injured in North Center: officials

A retired Chicago police sergeant was critically injured in a North Side shooting on Monday morning, officials said.

Police said the shooting happened at the busy North Center intersection of North Lincoln and West Berteau avenues just after 9 a.m.

The retired sergeant, a 74-year-old man, was getting out of his Jeep Cherokee when two people opened fire, striking him at least three times, police said.

"You knew it was gunshots, because I heard, 'Boom, boom, boom.' I looked out the window to see what was going on," said neighbor Carol Palomar.

The victim, who lives nearby, was shot twice in the left arm and suffered a graze wound to the neck. He was taken in critical condition to Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he underwent surgery.

Some residents saw two men fleeing the scene on foot. Although, one of them did not get too far.

The CPD SWAT team was brought in. About two hours after the shooting, exclusive video shows one man, who police say is a person of interest, being escorted out of a Lincoln Avenue store front and taken into custody just a few feet from where the retired sergeant was shot.

That man is being questioned.

"My understanding is that the SWAT team is continuing to conduct their investigation, looking for one other person," said 47th Ward Ald. Matt Martin.

The gunfire left shattered glass and multiple bullet casings on the scene.

What motivated the shooting is still unknown.

"I've spoken to CPD multiple times throughout the day. The investigation is continuing. Right now, they don't have any motive. They don't know if it was interpersonal, if it was an attempted robbery, attempted carjacking or something else," Martin said. "People are afraid. It's just the worst thing that can happen to any community and at a time of day where a lot of people are out and about."

Regardless of the motive, the shooting is jarring to the alderman and residents of this North Side neighborhood, one that rarely experiences gun violence, especially at 9 a.m. on a Monday.

"It scares the hell out of me. Too close to home. I've lived here for 48 years, and I've never seen anything," Palomar said.

The ABC7 Safety Tracker shows there has not been a homicide in North Center since 2021.

"I mean, this is a really quiet neighborhood, really family friendly, really nice," said North Center business owner Meg Biddle. "It was very surprising that this has happened here today."

Whether the second person sought by police is still at large or if they have been taken into custody is unclear.

"It was right after school drop off for one of our nearby schools so, it is the worst thing that can happen to a community, and we hope this neighbor pulls through," Martin said. "It's an absolutely horrific thing that happened, and that shouldn't happen anywhere, any time of day or night."