Harvey mass shooting, retaliatory killing linked to 2 feuding groups with violent history: police

HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) -- Harvey police say two deadly shooting incidents that took place over the weekend are the latest in a long-standing rivalry between two groups who have been at the center of multiple shootings dating back to 2018.

Now, police said, officials will explore every option available to deescalate this feud. Police on Monday emphasized that there is no threat to the public, and these incidents are isolated to an ongoing conflict between the two groups.

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"Let me be clear, we will not allow a senseless rivalry to hold this city hostage," said Harvey Police Chief Cameron Biddings.

Police said the attacks that played out over the weekend were not random acts of violence, but were carried out by "known individuals."

"This violence stems from an ongoing conflict between individuals with the long and disruptive history within our city. We are very familiar with them, and frankly, they have caused harm within our community for far too long. These people have been the source of multiple disturbances, including previous acts of violence and intimidation," Biddings said.

Officials said two men fired into a house party at the corner 145th and Des Plaines, injuring five people, including a 4-year-old boy, on Saturday night.

Police said all of those victims are in stable condition.

A Concealed-Carry License holder who was at the gathering fired back, killing one of the suspects and injured the other, who is in police custody.

The following morning, Harvey police said, a man was found dead inside a minivan on the 200-block of Calumet Boulevard. Another person in the minivan was not injured.

Investigators are calling that shooting a targeted, retaliatory act where more than 30 rounds were fired.

One neighbor, who did not want to show their face, described the early morning chaos.

"It sounded like someone was hitting garbage cans. I heard at least about 40, 38, I don't know, a lot of rounds. A lot of gunshots," the neighbor said.

Police say these two incidents are the latest in a conflict that has gone back nearly seven years.

"We've investigated these individuals before. We've responded to their disputes. We've talked with the family members, witnesses and neighbors, and we documented a pattern of violence that is now escalated again with devastating consequences," said Harvey Police Dep. Chief Derrick Charles.

Now, police said, they will increase patrols in targeted areas and reach out to community leaders to help mediate the situation. They emphasized that while these incidents are serious, they are also isolated.

"We will not be defined by violence and will not be defined by any ongoing, engage anyone that are engaging in acts of violence within our city. Together, we will reclaim our peace in the city of Harvey," Biddings said.

Police saying have intervened in the past and will continue to do so to stop what they've called a violent "cycle" before it continues to escalate.