In a tumultuous turn of events, seven teenagers, one as young as thirteen, were shot following a disturbance at a Christmas tree lighting gathering in the United States. The incident occurred late last night in Chicago’s Loop area, shortly after the city’s official Christmas light ceremony at Millennium Park. The victims, aged between 13 and 17, were shot around 9:50 pm near State and Randolph streets, as confirmed by the Chicago Police Department.
Alderman Hopkins, representing the second ward district, disclosed that numerous police officers were also assaulted and harmed with mace and stun guns, resulting in at least one officer being hospitalized. Reports indicated that up to 300 young individuals stormed the free event. Courtney Spinelli, a WGNNews reporter, mentioned that a significant group emerged on the streets, followed by gunshots near the Chicago Theatre.
The youngest victim, a 13-year-old girl, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and is in stable condition. Among the victims, a 14-year-old girl was shot in the hip, while the remaining boys suffered leg gunshot wounds or graze injuries, all reported to be in a favorable condition. Witness Linda Dixon described the chaotic scene as people fled the area following the shootings, expressing disappointment at the untimely violence during the holiday season.
The initial shooting was succeeded by another nearby incident half an hour later near Adams and Dearborn streets. An 18-year-old male was shot in the leg and seriously injured, while another male victim succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds at the hospital.