Update 9:40 a.m. September 30 — The shooters rolled past bicyclist Robert Carroll. He hopped off his bike and started recording the scene (and counting all of the shell casings that were left in the intersection). Here’s his video:
Update 9:40 p.m. — CPD Chief of Patrol Brian McDermott confirmed that one of the persons shot is a possible suspect.
Update 8:53 p.m. — Chicago police just released the following statement:
In the 800 block of N. Milwaukee, on Sep. 29, 2021, at approx. 4:54 p.m., two unknown vehicles were driving on the street when an occupant inside one of the vehicles began firing shots towards the second vehicle. There were five total gunshot wound victims. There are no offenders in custody. Area Three Detectives are investigating.
Male, 25 – gunshot wound to the buttocks and transported to Northwestern Hospital initially reported in good condition.
Male, 27 – gunshot wound to the arm and transported to Stroger Hospital initially reported in good condition.
Male, 29 – gunshot wound to the back and transported to Northwestern Hospital initially reported in critical condition.
Female, 30 – graze wound to the leg and transported to Northwestern Hospital initially reported in good condition.
Male, 48 – gunshot wound to the leg and transported to Northwestern Hospital initially reported in good condition.
Five people were shot as a rolling gun battle tore through the West Loop neighborhood early this evening, according to preliminary reports from the scene. The injured include a bicyclist, a ride-share passenger, and a man who may have been inside one of the gunman’s vehicles.
“Man, this scene is almost a mile, two miles long,” one evidence technician assigned to document the shooting told a dispatcher.
At least one victim was shot near the 600 block of West Kinzie, close to the Blommer Chocolate Factory, where a woman was shot last week.
Here is what we know so far about Wednesday’s shootings, based on initial information. This story will be updated as new details are confirmed.
Witnesses reported seeing the occupants of two or three SUVs shooting at each other as the cars drove through the West Loop area around 4:55 p.m. According to officers, the gunbattle left shell casings littering streets from Jefferson and Lake to Desplaines and Kinzie and as far north as Milwaukee and Chicago.
“It was wild,” one witness said. “Two cars shooting at each other, fully automatic. They continued south down Desplaines. Lots of people walking home. One girl was injured in the dog park, not shot but hurt diving to the ground.”
Other witnesses also reported hearing automatic gunfire.
“Just witnessed a car chase shoot out on Desplaines and Jefferson,” another said in a social media message to CWBChicago. “Auto. At least 50 rounds. I called 911.”
According to preliminary information, police found three men and a woman shot near the 600 block of West Kinzie. None of them appear to be the intended targets of the gunmen.
CPD surveillance camera operators said three vehicles were involved.
Police found a fifth shooting victim in an alley on the 1000 block of West Monroe around 5:10 p.m. He was with a Nissan Murano that resembled an SUV that the camera operators said was involved the shooting. Its back window was shot out.
As of 8 p.m., Chicago police had not released any official details about what happened.
Not including the man who may have been in one of the SUVs, the fire department said it transported four victims from the West Loop shootings — two from near Grand and Milwaukee and two from near Milwaukee and Hubbard. According to CFD, two male victims were in critical condition while the other man and the woman were in good condition.
Early last Tuesday, September 21, a 27-year-old woman was shot while sitting in a parked car outside the Blommer Chocolate Factory, 600 West Kinzie. The woman said someone fired shots at her car from a dark-colored vehicle, and one round struck her in the left thigh. Investigators found shell casings on Kinzie street and a nearby sidewalk.
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