The Chicago Police Department recorded a total of eight shootings, three of which were fatal, and one armed robbery on Monday, the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. This comes after a weekend that saw 26 shooting incidents involving 30 victims, with five fatalities leading up to the DNC.
During a press conference on Monday, Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling emphasized the increased police presence both downtown and in neighborhoods to ensure the safety of residents during the convention and related protests.
The first shooting on Monday occurred at 1 a.m. when a 35-year-old man was shot multiple times in the face while inside a vehicle on E. 92nd Street. Another victim, a 25-year-old man, was found unresponsive in an alleyway on S. South Shore Drive around noon with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Later in the day, a 31-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint on S. Burnam Ave, and a 17-year-old boy was fatally shot while driving on W. 26th St. A 34-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the head on S. Green St., and a 26-year-old man was shot in the left calf on S. Bennett Ave.
Tragically, a 32-year-old man was fatally shot in the Englewood area, and two more victims, aged 33 and 34, were found with multiple gunshot wounds later in the evening. The incidents culminated in a total of three fatalities and several injuries.
Despite these recent events, overall crime rates in Chicago have shown a decrease this year compared to previous years. Murders are down by 9% and shootings by 9% compared to the same period last year. However, this decline follows a trend of rising violent crime in the city over the past three years, including a significant increase in violent crime in 2021 compared to 2020.
The Chicago Police Department continues to monitor and address crime in the city, particularly during high-profile events like the Democratic National Convention, to ensure the safety and security of all residents.
