A 72-year-old Naperville woman is in good condition after someone shot her as she walked in Lakeview on Thursday afternoon. She is the second person shot in the area this week.
Police taped off the intersection of Broadway and Briar as officers focused their attention outside Wilde restaurant, 3130 North Broadway.
The woman was walking on the sidewalk when she heard a gunshot and realized she had been struck in her left thigh at 1:36 p.m., police said. Passersby flagged down a nearby patrol car moments after the shooting.
According to a source, a surveillance video shows the gunman apparently firing from a vehicle as it headed south on Broadway. Police have ruled out robbery as a motive as the victim was not confronted, the source said.
EMS took the victim to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
On Sunday night, 47-year-old Hermilo Beltran was fatally shot as he approached the rear door of Happy Camper restaurant, 3458 North Clark, Wrigleyville. Beltran worked at the restaurant as a custodian, his family said. Police suspect he was killed during a robbery.
A GoFundMe has been established to support Beltran’s wife and two children. It had raised over $81,000 as of Thursday afternoon, including $10,000 from Happy Camper.
Local Ald. Tom Tunney gave a low-key response to the murder, calling it a “Lakeview tragedy.”
“Yes, this is not good,” Tunney told reporters, “but the neighborhood is strong, and we will have a very welcoming opening day” for the Cubs. Tunney did not notify constituents about the murder or the unfolding investigation via email or social media.
Editor’s note: After the publication of this story, Ald. Tunney stated the following in his weekly emailed newsletter:
Tragically, in the past week, the 44th Ward has experienced two shootings. On Sunday night, Hermilo Beltran, was killed behind 3458 N Clark. This afternoon, in the 3100 block of N Broadway, a 72-year-old woman was shot in the leg by unknown offenders driving by in a car. Police do not believe she was the intended target. Fortunately, she is in stable condition and is expected to recover.
I was driving on Briar near Broadway returning to my office minutes after today’s shooting and was on scene shortly after the victim was placed in the ambulance. I saw the anguish and anger I felt reflected in the faces of witnesses and others in the vicinity. The police presence after the incident was swift and significant. I am confident that with assistance of witnesses and video from nearby security cameras, the CPD will work diligently to solve these two shootings.
While shootings in the 44th Ward are rare, violence has been brought to our neighborhoods too often in the last few years. As I have stated numerous times both publicly and privately to the leadership of the Chicago Police Department, this is unacceptable. As it has been for several years, crime remains my number one priority. I have repeatedly called for more police presence in Lakeview and I find it unacceptable that our 19th Police District staffing numbers are so low.
During the past few months my office has held public safety meetings with all the Lakeview chambers of commerce and several community groups. I will continue to fight for funding to the Police Department, enhanced technology resources, as well as mental health and housing programs. Going forward I will continue collaborate closely with the hardworking 19th District Police and I will provide updates to the community as they are made available to my office.
Residents who have any information on these shootings should reach out to the Bureau of Detectives – Area 3 at (312) 744-8263. Anonymous tips can be sent to www.cpdtip.com.
I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Beltran family. I know Mr. Beltran will be missed by the entire Lakeview community. The Beltran Family and the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce are collecting donations for his widow and two children; click here to donate; click here to donate.