Machine gun fire ripped through a large crowd near 37th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue early Monday, a mass shooting that left five people wounded and sent police scrambling to control chaos in the street. Detectives are questioning a suspect.
Chicago police officers were already on scene directing traffic and trying to control a large street gathering when they reported hearing shots, including automatic gunfire, shortly after 1 a.m.
At 1:03 a.m., police radio calls described rapid-fire shots tearing through the area around Ellis Park, along Cottage Grove between 36th and 37th. Officers immediately declared a 10-1 citywide police emergency.
Cars fled the area at high speed, nearly striking officers and bystanders as the gunfire continued.
Video circulating online shows a man filming himself at the gathering before ducking for cover as he and other bystanders realize there has been a shooting.
Notice his shift in tone once he heard the gunshots…..OK Mr "we outside"…. #chicago pic.twitter.com/aLDeJ2oCJl
— Ace (@Ace_chicago) September 1, 2025
By 1:05 a.m., police found multiple shooting victims near 36th and Cottage Grove. The Chicago Fire Department treated victims while officers secured the block. Police recovered four firearms and found at least 35 shell casings on the pavement.
Five people were struck by gunfire:
- A 36-year-old woman was shot in the leg and is in good condition at Northwestern Hospital.
- A 17-year-old boy was hit multiple times and is in critical condition at the University of Chicago.
- A 33-year-old man was shot in the arm and leg and is in fair condition at the University of Chicago.
- A 26-year-old man was shot in the leg and is in good condition at the University of Chicago.
- Another 33-year-old man was shot in the arm and leg and is in good condition at the University of Chicago.
In addition to the suspect, at least 10 other people were taken into custody, though many of those arrests occurred in the moments before the shooting as officers tried to manage tensions in the crowd.
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