The casualties in the two incidents, which unfolded blocks away from Millennium Park, where a Christmas tree lighting was held hours earlier, were confirmed by the Chicago Police Department, according to reports.
Reward announced for offering details about the two incidents
The Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for any information on the two shootings that may lead to an arrest, CBS News reported.
At the time when the shooting incident occurred, Chicago police officers were on patrol when they heard gunshots being fired into a large group in the area. According to CBS News, officers discovered seven teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 who sustained gunshot wounds to various parts of their bodies.
Injured rushed to hospitals
Following the incident, the injured were transported to nearby hospitals in “good” and “fair” condition, according to Fox News Chicago. In a post on X, 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins claimed that “300 juveniles” were “rioting in the Loop” and that “at least 5 victims shot,” including “one critical with life threatening gunshot wound to torso.” “Multiple police officers [were] attacked and injured with mace and stun guns, at least one PO hospitalized,” he further stated.In the second shooting incident, police found two people with gunshot wounds. They were taken to the nearby Northwestern Hospital. One of them was pronounced dead there. The CBS report reveals that the second man who sustained wounds was identified as an 18-year-old, and he arrived at the hospital in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the leg.
PEOPLE also reached out to the Chicago Police Department to gather details about the two shootings but did not receive an immediate response.
Chicago’s downtown was buzzing
There was a lot of buzz in Chicago’s downtown Loop area hours before the shootings, as crowds gathered in Millennium Park to see the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and to celebrate the first night of Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza.
There were few bystanders in the area enjoying festivities who witnessed the first incident. One of them told CBS News that she had been with a group leaving the Chicago Theatre when she saw police rush by. “We’re coming out of the theater, and everybody just [started] running,” she told the outlet. “We almost got knocked in the street, because everyone was running that way from down here. I’m not exactly sure what happened.”
“It is very disheartening to see this, you know? Holiday time, everybody wants to celebrate and enjoy the evening, and something like this happens,” she added.
