Violence erupted among a crowd of teens in Chicago’s South Loop on Saturday after a social media post sparked a rally.
Two teenagers at the scene were shot, one of whom died, CWB Chicago reported. report Sunday. The newspaper said police made several arrests as officers and community support workers struggled to control the crowd.
Hundreds of people flooded the South Loop Saturday night, leaving two teenagers shot and one dead. Police arrested dozens of people, including the suspected shooter.
via video @ChicagoCritter Audio of CPD radio traffic is also included in the report.https://t.co/Lf6POIrTUZ
— CWB Chicago (@CWBChicago) March 3, 2024
The incident occurred near Roosevelt and Canal, the report said.
According to a CPD media statement and witnesses, part of the group was gathered in the parking lot of the BMO Harris Bank at 522 West Roosevelt when at least one gunman opened fire at 8:06 p.m. Ta. Police officers who were already on the scene immediately responded to the scene by radioing the call for shots fired. They launched life-saving efforts, detained the gunman and recovered the firearm, police said.
A 17-year-old boy who was shot in the chest and neck was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital, police said. The 15-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg but was listed in good condition at Stroger.
The victim was 17 years old identified Jeremy Smith, CBS Chicago reported Sunday.
According to a CWB Chicago article, CPD Central (1st) District Commander David Harris said on the radio during the incident that anyone found on the street would be locked up.
“We’re going to make mass arrests. All these kids are going to go to prison,” he said.
CWB Chicago reported that some of the teens had gathered in the parking lot outside Verve Credit Union.
video footage show At one point, a fight appears to break out. Those attending the rally were seen filming the event on their cellphones. Further into the clip, screams, screams and laughter can be heard in the background, and officers appear to be detaining a young woman.
Crowds of young people took over the streets of Chicago’s South Loop last night.
Two people were injured as a result of the chaos, which lasted several hours. pic.twitter.com/sqqiGmc40A— S Printer (@Sprinter99800) March 3, 2024
Authorities charged 12 people with misdemeanors, including several for violating the curfew. An 18-year-old woman, identified as Cisbrina Collins, has been charged with misdemeanor resisting, a police spokeswoman said.
“The boys, ages 14, 16, and 17, and girls, ages 16 and 17, were charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The oldest boy was also charged with misdemeanor assault. , a second 17-year-old boy was also charged with misdemeanor assault. Two girls, ages 16 and 17, were charged with reckless conduct, CWB Chicago reported.
In April, then-Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson (D) said he did not condone violence, but said he believed it was “constructive to demonize” a group of teenagers who rioted four nights in a row. “Not,” he added, Breitbart News reported at the time.
“I in no way condone the destructive activity seen in the Loop and Lakefront this weekend. It is unacceptable and has no place in our city. It’s not constructive to demonize young people who weren’t there,” Johnson said.
