SUV gunfire – Chicago police say at least 12 people in a crowd were shot after an SUV pulled up and two people opened fire late Friday on Juneteenth. Two suspects were left in critical condition and detectives are investigating.
CHICAGO — Late Friday on Juneteenth, an SUV pulled up on a South Side street, opened fire, and drove away—leaving a crowd scattered and bleeding, with police saying at least 12 people were struck by gunfire.
Chicago police said the SUV fled the neighborhood after two people inside began shooting. The two people were left behind in critical condition, police said in a news release.
One of the injured suspects suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, police said. The other was listed in critical condition as well. Police did not provide additional details.
In the crowd, the wounded group included eight men and four women, ranging in age from 17 to 47. They were being treated at four hospitals.
Police said another man suffered unknown injuries and refused medical treatment.
Officers initially responded to a call of one person shot. When they arrived, they found a woman with two gunshot wounds to her back and a man with four graze wounds to his back. Both were listed in fair condition at the time police reported the scene.
Detectives were investigating. Further information was not immediately available.
The shooting added to a dangerous stretch in the city. Police reported at least 21 people were shot in Chicago since Friday evening, resulting in four deaths.
Juneteenth is a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. a day when many communities mark freedom and progress with gatherings and celebrations. Earlier Friday. former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama welcomed the first visitors to his presidential center on the South Side.
Pastor Donovan Price, a local advocate for gun crime victims, said seeing a mass shooting on the holiday was a tragedy.
“It should be celebrating,” Price said. “Fireworks should not turn into gunshots.”
Chicago shootings Juneteenth SUV gunfire South Side police investigation gun crime victims
Why does it always happen on holidays smh.
12 people shot?? On Juneteenth?? That’s just horrible. Also how did they even know it was an SUV like did they catch it or just guess.
So one dude refused treatment and still got hurt? I mean I get being scared but come on. And they left the suspects in critical condition like that makes it better? Chicago police always say “investigating” like that’s gonna bring everyone back.
This is why I don’t believe in “celebrations” in the city, people get wild and then boom. I saw something on TikTok that said it was like fireworks at first, so maybe it was mistaken?? Idk. But it’s crazy that Obama center visitors were there the same day and this happened, just awful timing and sad for the kids out there.