Possible gang-related shooting injures teen in Irving Park

A 16-year-old boy was shot as he rode a bike in the Irving Park neighborhood on Wednesday evening, police said. Investigators believe the incident may be gang-related.

The victim was riding on the 3000 block of West Belle Plaine when someone shot at him from a dark vehicle at 8:40 p.m., according to a CPD statement. One round struck the boy in his right leg and he was listed in good condition at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. A second person who was riding with the teen was not injured, police said.

Witnesses reported hearing about 10 shots fired in the area. Some witnesses reported seeing a red SUV speed from the area while others saw a silver car drive away from the shooting eastbound.

Police found a backpack containing a handgun inside a trash can on the 4000 block of North Sacramento. It was not immediately known if the recovered handgun is connected to the shooting.

Investigators were working to determine if Wednesday’s incident is related to an earlier gang-related shooting in the nearby 14th police district.

Area North detectives are handling the case.

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CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com