Man Arrested After Shooting 15 People at Halloween Party in North Lawndale
A man was arrested early Sunday after allegedly shooting 15 people at an unsanctioned Halloween party in North Lawndale just minutes after he had been thrown out, according to police.
The incident, described by William Betancourt, commander of the Chicago Police Department’s Ogden District, as a “senseless act of violence” occurred around 1 a.m. in the 1200 block of South Pulaski Road. Witnesses stated that the alleged shooter was ejected from the party and returned a few minutes later with a gun, opening fire on the crowd.
The suspect was apprehended a short time later in the 4000 block of West 14th Street, thanks to the descriptions provided by party attendees. Police recovered a gun from the scene.
The victims, ranging in age from 26 to 53, consisted of nine men and six women. Two of them were critically wounded, while the others were listed in good-to-fair condition.
A performer at the party, Andre Williams, mentioned that the suspect had argued with security before the shooting took place.
Videos of the aftermath of the incident began circulating on social media, showing the frantic scene with some victims still bleeding on the ground.
The Chicago Police Department’s response to the shooting was both swift and ongoing. Officers arrived at the scene as the gunman was still firing, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Glen Brooks, the director of community policing for the Chicago Police Department, expressed the need for healing in the affected neighborhood, as the trauma of the incident could perpetuate further violence. An emergency assistance center will be established to provide resources for those impacted by the shooting.
The venue where the party was held, Studio 1258, has faced previous issues with operating without proper licenses. As a result, the city plans to close the establishment under its summary closure ordinance, aimed at swiftly shutting down businesses associated with violence.
The shooting incident marks the largest mass shooting recorded in Chicago this year. However, in the Ogden District, overall shootings and homicides have been decreasing, reflecting a citywide trend. Nonetheless, local officials are concerned that such acts of violence are becoming normalized and are striving to address the issue.
Community members gathered near the scene of the shooting, where Reshorna Fitzpatrick, the executive pastor of Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church, led a prayer. Fitzpatrick expressed her heavy heart and emphasized the need for a change in the prevailing conditions.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and both the police and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will be conducting their respective inquiries once the police investigation concludes.