One person was killed and eight others wounded in a pair of shootings late Friday night in downtown Chicago's the Loop district, just hours after Chicago lit the city's official Christmas tree just blocks away in Millennium Park.
Seven teens were injured in the first shooting, which police said happened near the intersection of State and Randolph streets near the Chicago Theatre at around 9:50 p.m. local time. Two people were shot, one fatally, during the second shooting near Adams and Dearborn streets about 30 minutes later.
During the first shooting, officers were on patrol and heard gunshots being fired into a large group in the 100 block of North State Street, Chicago police said.
Officers found the seven victims, who were taken to both Stroger Hospital and Lurie Children's Hospital, in fair to good condition. Police said the victims range in age from 13 to 17 years old.
After the second shooting in the 100 Block of South Dearborn Street, police found two victims with gunshot wounds. Police said one of the victims was taken to Northwestern Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The second victim, an 18-year-old man, was taken to the same hospital in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the leg.
President Trump took to his Truth Social platform Saturday afternoon to address the shootings, alleging that there was "Massive crime and rioting in the Chicago Loop area," Friday night, and making the claim that "Multiple Police Officers" were "attacked and badly injured," although police have not reported any injuries to officers.
The president also noted both Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's opposition to the White House's efforts to send the National Guard into Chicago. The Trump administration said the move was to address crime and protect federal property and personnel during protests over the administration's immigration crackdown.
"Governor Pritzker and the Low IQ Mayor of Chicago are refusing Federal Government help for a situation that could be quickly remedied," Mr. Trump wrote. "The people are chanting, BRING IN TRUMP!!!"
Johnson addressed the shootings in a media conference on Saturday, saying these violent gatherings cannot continue.
He said the shootings took place despite additional police deployment in the area. Johnson said the city was aware of a potential large gathering.
Johnson said 300 additional officers will be deployed on Saturday night ahead of the downtown holiday parade.
"We have too many guns and too many young people who do not value their lives or the lives of others," Johnson said.
The shootings took place on a bustling night in the Loop, with huge crowds packing downtown for the Christmas tree lighting in Millennium Park and the first night of Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza.
Christkindlmarket had just closed for the night at 9 p.m.
Linda Dixon was with a group of people leaving the Chicago Theatre when they saw police rushing to the scene.
"We're coming out of the theater, and everybody just start running. We almost got knocked in the street, because everyone was running that way from down here. I'm not exactly sure what happened," Dixon said. "It is very disheartening to see this, you know? Holiday time, everybody wants to celebrate and enjoy the evening, and something like this happens."
"I just heard a ping, and I'm like, 'Oh, this is real,'" Moe Akl said. "One guy hit the floor, and then I'm like, ok, let's go."
It's the second year in a row police have responded to a shooting in the Loop on the first weekend of the Christkindlmarket.
On Nov. 23, 2024, the second night of Christkindlmarket last year, a woman was wounded in a shooting outside the Macy's department store on State Street.
Police said a 19-year-old woman was walking on the sidewalk near the intersection of State and Washington streets shortly before 9 p.m., when an unknown male fired shots.
The victim was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition.
That shooting also happened as large holiday crowds were gathered downtown for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade on Michigan Avenue, as well as the first weekend of the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza, just one night after the lighting of the city's official Christmas tree in Millennium Park.
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to contact Cook County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-535-STOP (7867), or submit a tip online at www.CPD.com.
1 dead, 8 wounded after 2 shootings in the Loop, hours after Chicago's Christmas tree lighting
1 dead, 8 wounded after 2 shootings in the Loop, hours after Chicago's Christmas tree lighting
(03:00)
