At least 15 shot, 3 fatally, in Chicago shootings this weekend, police say | Live updates
ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team
Last updated: Sunday, December 15, 2024 5:15PM GMT
COPA is investigating after a man was seriously injured in a South Austin shootout Saturday involving an off-duty Chicago police officer inside a car.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- At least 15 people have been shot, three fatally, in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend, police said.
A toddler is among those injured.
Here are the latest developments.
2 hours and 45 minutes ago
Person found shot to death in Little Village alley after crash: Chicago police
A person was found shot to death after a crash on the city's Southwest Side on Saturday night, Chicago police said.
Police officers responded to a call about shots fired in the Little Village neighborhood's 3100-block of West Cermak Road just after 10 p.m.
Officers found a person, identified only as male, in an alley with a gunshot wound to his back. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Police said a green SUV truck had struck an unoccupied vehicle near the scene. Investigators say the victim may have been inside that unoccupied vehicle before officers arrived on the scene.
The victim's age was not immediately known.
Area Four detectives are investigating.
Police did not immediately provide further information about the shooting.
2 hours and 45 minutes ago
Man shot to death during fight inside West Garfield Park business, police say
A man was shot and killed during a fight at a West Side business on Saturday afternoon, Chicago police said.
Police said the shooting happened in the West Garfield Park neighborhood's 200-block of North Pulaski Road just after 3 p.m.
A 30-year-old man was fighting with someone inside a business when that person took out a gun and fired shots, striking him in the body multiple times, police said.
Police said the victim was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced.
Area Four detectives are investigating.
Police did not immediately provide further information about the shooting.
2 hours and 45 minutes ago
Boy shot in Near West Side home by armed robber's stray gunfire: CPD
A young boy was injured inside a Near West Side apartment by stray gunfire from an armed robber Saturday evening.
The shooting happened around 4:50 p.m. in the 1000-block of West 14th Street, near University Village and Little Italy, Chicago police said.
A 20-year-old man was in a parking lot near the apartment when he was approached by an armed offender who demand property, police said. During the armed robbery, the suspect fired shots into the air.
The gunfire struck a 3-year-old boy, who was inside a nearby apartment, police said.
The boy was shot in his left ear. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition, CPD said.
The armed robbery victim was not injured.
Chicago police continue to investigate, and no arrests have been made.
No further information was immediately available.
5:00 AM GMT
Man seriously injured in South Austin shootout involving off-duty CPD officer, police say
ABC7 spoke exclusively to the mother of the man shot. She says the officer was trying to protect her son.
Police said the shooting happened in the South Austin neighborhood's 1000-block of South Mayfield Avenue just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
Five people, including two off-duty CPD officers, were inside a parked vehicle. Police said a 26-year-old man got out of that vehicle, and someone inside another vehicle started shooting, striking him.
Two people inside the vehicle, including one off-duty CPD officer, returned fired toward the shooter, who fled the scene, officials said.
Police said the off-duty officers and two other passengers took the injured 26-year-old to a local hospital, where he is listed in serious condition.
I thank him, and I'll try to do what I can to make sure that they keep him on the force. He did what he did as an officer. He should be rewarded, not un-rewarded.
Angela Blake, shooting victim's mother
No one is in custody, and no officers were injured, police said.
The shooting victim's mother, Angela Blake, says this was a case of self-defense. She said the off-duty police officer was helping to shield her son from gunfire after the victim was already shot, she says, by someone her son doesn't know.
"I imagine it could've been much worse because this person was out to just kill him," Blake said.
Bullet holes and shattered glass at the scene detail the violence that unfolded early Saturday morning, seconds after Blake's 26-year-old son was dropped off at his home in South Austin.
"He noticed a car looking suspicious and he was watching, and the car stopped and somebody got out in all black, and start walking towards him and started shooting," Blake said.
That's when Blake says her other son, a CCL holder, and her son's best friend, who an off-duty Chicago police officer, ran to the victim, shielding him from the suspect and returned fire.
"And, they kept shooting and they shot up the truck and it just went from there," Blake said.
After hours of trying to seek answers, Blake finally was able to see her son at the hospital.
"A sense of joy hit me to just see him, and give him a hug," Blake said.
Police say the off-duty officer has since been relieved of his police powers while the COPA investigates.
"His job is to serve and protect. He gave an oath for that," Blake said.
Blake says the officer doesn't deserve to be relived of powers during the investigation.
"I thank him, and I'll try to do what I can to make sure that they keep him on the force," Blake said. "He did what he did as an officer. He should be rewarded, not un-rewarded."
ABC7 spoke to the shooting victim off-camera. He is now out of the hospital and is preparing for an upcoming surgery to his hand. The family said he has more than a year of recovery ahead.
The CPD Investigative Response Team is currently investigating the shooting. No one has been arrested.
Authorities did not immediately provide further information.
