Chicago Weekend Marred by Violence: 30 Shot, 3 Killed, Including 5-Year-Old Boy

CHICAGO — A wave of gun violence swept through Chicago over the weekend, leaving 30 people shot, three fatally, in a series of incidents that underscored the city’s ongoing struggle with violent crime. Among the victims was a 5-year-old boy, the youngest casualty, who was killed in a shooting inside a North Kenwood apartment, according to preliminary Chicago Police Department (CPD) reports.

The shootings, which occurred between noon Friday and 6 a.m. Monday, claimed the lives of three individuals, including the young boy, identified as Vincent Miller, and a 45-year-old man, Marcus Miller, both killed in the same incident. A third victim, whose identity has not been released, was also among the fatalities. The 27 surviving victims, ranging in age from 18 to 48, included five women and 22 men, with injuries varying from minor to critical.

One of the most heartbreaking incidents took place Sunday afternoon in the 4400 block of South Greenwood Avenue in North Kenwood, where the 5-year-old boy was fatally shot. Details surrounding the shooting remain limited, with police describing the circumstances as “fluid.” The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, reigniting calls for action to address the city’s persistent gun violence.

Other notable incidents included a shooting at 6:48 p.m. Friday in the 1900 block of West 66th Street, where a 33-year-old woman was shot in the right eye while riding in a vehicle. She was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition. Early Monday morning, at 3:20 a.m. in the 6200 block of South Michigan Avenue, a 34-year-old man was critically wounded in the abdomen and foot after an ex-boyfriend allegedly kicked in an apartment door and opened fire.

According to data from HeyJackass, a website tracking Chicago crime statistics, this weekend’s toll of 30 shot and three killed marks the second-lowest number of shooting victims for this particular weekend since 2015, surpassed only by 2023, when 24 people were shot, three fatally. The CPD’s official weekend definition, from 6 p.m. Friday to midnight Sunday, is narrower than the timeframe used by HeyJackass, and totals may shift as investigations continue and victims’ conditions change.

No arrests have been reported in connection with the fatal shootings, and most incidents remain under investigation by CPD detectives. The violence spanned multiple neighborhoods, including Englewood, Humboldt Park, Rogers Park, and Austin, with motives ranging from domestic disputes to gang-related conflicts. In one case, a 19-year-old man was shot in Rogers Park after witnesses reported hearing discussions about gang affiliations prior to the gunfire.

Community leaders and residents expressed grief and frustration over the ongoing violence. Pastor Donovan Price, who often assists victims of gun violence, described the scenes as chaotic, with families searching for loved ones amidst the aftermath. “This is a wound that keeps reopening,” Price said, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions to address root causes like poverty and lack of opportunity.The city’s Violence Reduction Dashboard, maintained by the Mayor’s Office, highlights the disproportionate impact of violence on Chicago’s Black and Latinx communities, with 79% of homicide and non-fatal shooting victims in 2020 being Black. Mayor Brandon Johnson has faced criticism for his administration’s handling of crime, with some pointing to his decision to end the city’s contract with ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, as a factor in the ongoing challenges.

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