CHICAGO, IL - Authorities with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) said that seven teens ranging in age from 13 to 17 were shot in the Loop on Friday night, November 21, and a separate shooting nearby left one teen dead and another person injured.
The shootings happened during a very busy night downtown, after the city held its official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, ABC 7 reported. The first shooting happened just before 10:00 p.m., steps away from ABC7's State Street studios. Police said they spotted a large group on the sidewalk in the 100 block of North State Street when shots rang out, and the group scattered.
The chaotic scene played out in front of the Chicago Theater, and bystanders in the area rushed to take cover. Most of the victims are listed in good condition, and they are expected to recover, police said.
Roughly an hour later, Chicago police said they responded to a shooting near Dearborn and Monroe. Officers said two people were shot around 10:40 p.m. in the 100 block of South Dearborn Street. One of the male victims was taken to Northwestern Hospital and later died.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 14-year-old Armani Floyd. The second victim is an 18-year-old man who was shot in the leg and was listed in serious condition. During an event on Saturday morning, Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke on the shootings, saying the victim who died in the second shooting was a young kid.
"It is quite frankly frustrating, and quite upsetting when this type of violence takes place because it does engender and evoke fear," Johnson said. "So we will have a strong police presence. We'll have stronger control over how traffic flows."
The mayor said city officials got wind of some social media posts about a possible "teen takeover" downtown and had been working for the last few days to try to stop it from happening.
"There was a communication that was delivered to CPS to encourage young people not to participate in these unauthorized gatherings," Johnson said. "We had 700 additional officers on top of the First Police District present. We had CVI workers out there as well."
Community violence interrupter Pastor Donovan Price said teens need supervision, especially in large crowds. "Bring some family with you," Price said. "Bring mom, auntie, bring somebody with you, an adult with you, and just watch out. Be careful, and I'll pray for you."
Authorities said 18 people were arrested Friday night for curfew violations and various assaults. CPD said no suspects related to the shootings are in custody. According to police, the following people were shot in the State Street incident:
"There are a lot of people out here," resident Edith Murray said. "I love Chicago." Another person, Hugo Leyva, who was visiting downtown for the holidays, said, "You can't really do much about it. I'm just gonna go out and live my life, and I'm not gonna stay in the house all day."
The violence happened as a lot of people ventured back downtown for the Christkindlmarket and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade. "Even though we had an incident downtown yesterday, which was very unfortunate, nothing can stop me from coming to celebrate our city, the holidays, and the lighting on Michigan Avenue," Light Festival attendee Minka Giless said.
"Things are gonna happen. You can't really avoid it," Christkindlmarket attendee Tyler Murray said. "You just have to go out and have fun."
CPD plans on deploying an additional 300 officers on top of the already 700 assigned to cover weekend festivities. City officials said they are continuing to monitor the downtown area for unusual activity. More large crowds are expected in downtown Chicago through the rest of the year as many people begin to celebrate the holiday season.
The shootings happened during a very busy night downtown, after the city held its official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, ABC 7 reported. The first shooting happened just before 10:00 p.m., steps away from ABC7's State Street studios. Police said they spotted a large group on the sidewalk in the 100 block of North State Street when shots rang out, and the group scattered.
The chaotic scene played out in front of the Chicago Theater, and bystanders in the area rushed to take cover. Most of the victims are listed in good condition, and they are expected to recover, police said.
Roughly an hour later, Chicago police said they responded to a shooting near Dearborn and Monroe. Officers said two people were shot around 10:40 p.m. in the 100 block of South Dearborn Street. One of the male victims was taken to Northwestern Hospital and later died.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 14-year-old Armani Floyd. The second victim is an 18-year-old man who was shot in the leg and was listed in serious condition. During an event on Saturday morning, Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke on the shootings, saying the victim who died in the second shooting was a young kid.
"It is quite frankly frustrating, and quite upsetting when this type of violence takes place because it does engender and evoke fear," Johnson said. "So we will have a strong police presence. We'll have stronger control over how traffic flows."
The mayor said city officials got wind of some social media posts about a possible "teen takeover" downtown and had been working for the last few days to try to stop it from happening.
"There was a communication that was delivered to CPS to encourage young people not to participate in these unauthorized gatherings," Johnson said. "We had 700 additional officers on top of the First Police District present. We had CVI workers out there as well."
Community violence interrupter Pastor Donovan Price said teens need supervision, especially in large crowds. "Bring some family with you," Price said. "Bring mom, auntie, bring somebody with you, an adult with you, and just watch out. Be careful, and I'll pray for you."
Authorities said 18 people were arrested Friday night for curfew violations and various assaults. CPD said no suspects related to the shootings are in custody. According to police, the following people were shot in the State Street incident:
- A 14-year-old boy sustained a gunshot graze wound to the stomach and is listed in good condition at the hospital
- A 15-year-old boy sustained a gunshot graze wound to the left thigh and is listed in good condition at the hospital
- A 17-year-old boy sustained a gunshot graze wound to the left thigh and is listed in good condition at the hospital
- A 14-year-old girl sustained a gunshot graze to the right hip and is listed in good condition at the hospital
- A 16-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. He is also listed in good condition.
- A 14-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is listed in good condition at the hospital.
- A 13-year-old girl sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is listed in fair condition. She also remains at the hospital.
"There are a lot of people out here," resident Edith Murray said. "I love Chicago." Another person, Hugo Leyva, who was visiting downtown for the holidays, said, "You can't really do much about it. I'm just gonna go out and live my life, and I'm not gonna stay in the house all day."
The violence happened as a lot of people ventured back downtown for the Christkindlmarket and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade. "Even though we had an incident downtown yesterday, which was very unfortunate, nothing can stop me from coming to celebrate our city, the holidays, and the lighting on Michigan Avenue," Light Festival attendee Minka Giless said.
"Things are gonna happen. You can't really avoid it," Christkindlmarket attendee Tyler Murray said. "You just have to go out and have fun."
CPD plans on deploying an additional 300 officers on top of the already 700 assigned to cover weekend festivities. City officials said they are continuing to monitor the downtown area for unusual activity. More large crowds are expected in downtown Chicago through the rest of the year as many people begin to celebrate the holiday season.
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