Global Courant 2023-05-31 19:46:45
Memorial Day weekend in Chicago was not very festive after 53 people were shot, 11 of whom died, authorities announced today.
The tragic victims ranged in age from 2 to 77 years old, from all over the capital city of Illinois in the US.
The violence comes despite a community cooperation initiative for public safety that the mayor hopes to implement over the summer.
Police said several tragic events were domestic violence as three people were shot while standing on the sidewalk at midnight Saturday on South Harper Avenue.
Family members of 35-year-old victim William Hair spoke to ABC7 about what happened to their loved one in an interview with the Lakeview program.
“He was there with his close friend. They stopped the car leaving no chance. His friend stayed there with him and tried to save his life, but unfortunately he passed out.”
Hair is one of five people who have been shot to death in recent days in Lakeview, as police say they will increase patrols in the area.
On Sunday evening, a 2-year-old child was mistakenly shot by an adult’s unloaded gun, as the bullet hit him in the hand.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has been in several areas over the weekend to raise awareness about maintaining road safety.
Last week he launched an all-inclusive public safety campaign with community support groups, but added that the work to be done is enormous.
“Poverty cannot go away in a weekend. We understand that our communities have been impoverished and traumatized, and what we’re seeing is a manifestation of that trauma that we’re going through,” said Mayor Johnson.
In the statement he added: “The violence that our city saw at the weekend is intolerable. It has caused serious damage and my thoughts are with the victims and those affected. I will use every resource to protect our lives in this city and to work on the foundations of building our common security.”
Memorial Day weekend in Chicago was not very festive as 53 people were shot, 11 of whom died
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