As summer officially commenced, Chicago experienced a troubling surge in gun violence, with one man killed and nine others injured over an alarming eight-hour period.
This wave of shootings coincided with the city’s preparation for an extreme heatwave, where temperatures were projected to soar into the high 90s.
Historically, the rise in temperatures has been linked to an increase in gun-related incidents, raising concerns among residents and law enforcement alike.
No arrests have been made in connection with these overnight shootings, five of which occurred in the Englewood neighborhood, underscoring a pattern of violence in an area that has struggled with such issues in the past.
The violence began around 7:50 p.m. on Thursday as two men were critically injured by gunfire in Englewood.
According to Chicago police, the men, aged 30 and 34, were in a parking lot on South Halsted Street when a car approached, and three assailants emerged, opening fire indiscriminately.
The younger victim was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center with multiple gunshot wounds, while the older man suffered a gunshot to the back and was taken to Stroger Hospital.
Less than two hours later, another incident occurred in the vicinity.
At around 9:10 p.m., a 32-year-old man was shot and killed while leaving a store on West 63rd Street.
Witnesses reported that an unidentified shooter had fired several shots at him before fleeing the scene.
Following this, around 11:30 p.m., a teenager was shot in River North while walking with friends.
The 18-year-old man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and is reported to be in good condition following the attack.
As the night continued, violence erupted once more in Englewood just after 1:45 a.m. on Friday.
A 29-year-old man was shot in the shoulder as he attempted to intervene in a conflict between two women inside an apartment on South Parnell Avenue.
He was subsequently transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center and is in good condition.
Approximately 20 minutes later, a 56-year-old woman was shot in the calf while standing with a group of people in the 6800 block of South Winchester Avenue.
She was also reported to be in good condition after being taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center.
Another victim, a 37-year-old man, was shot at a gas station in Englewood around 2:15 a.m. He suffered gunshot wounds to his back and elbow after being approached by three shooters.
This man was likewise taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and is in good condition.
Shortly before 3:00 a.m., two men were shot in a yard on the Near West Side.
A 29-year-old man was hit in the foot, while a 33-year-old man suffered a leg injury.
Both men made their way to Stroger Hospital, where they were reported to be in good condition.
In the final incident of the night, a 27-year-old man confronted four individuals attempting to break into his car on the Near South Side and was shot in the back as a result.
He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and is in good condition.
The city faces a troubling reality as summer unfolds, with community leaders and law enforcement working to address the underlying causes of such violence.
image source from：chicago
