Seven teenagers, with the youngest being a 13-year-old, were wounded in a shooting incident that occurred after a disturbance at a Christmas tree lighting event in the United States. The commotion took place in Chicago’s Loop shortly after the city’s official Christmas light ceremony at Millennium Park. The shooting occurred around 9:50 pm at the State and Randolph streets intersection, as confirmed by the Chicago Police Department. Alderman Hopkins, representing the second ward district, mentioned that several law enforcement officers were also assaulted and harmed with mace and stun guns, with one officer requiring hospitalization.
Approximately 300 young individuals reportedly crashed the free event, stated Hopkins. He expressed on X that there were “300 juveniles rioting in the Loop now, at least 5 victims shot, one critical with life-threatening gunshot wound to torso. Multiple police officers attacked and injured with mace and stun guns, at least one PO hospitalized.”
WGNNews reporter, Courtney Spinelli, reported that officers observed a large group gathering on the streets and then heard gunshots near the Chicago Theatre. Spinelli verified that the youngest victim, a 13-year-old girl, sustained a gunshot wound in her leg and is in fair condition. Another female victim, a 14-year-old, was shot in the hip. The remaining victims, all boys, suffered gunshot wounds to the leg or minor grazes, with all reported to be in stable condition.
Witness Linda Dixon, who was leaving the Chicago Theatre, described the chaotic scene as police arrived. “We’re coming out of the theatre, and everybody just starts running,” she recounted to CBS. “We almost got knocked in the street because everyone was running that way from down here. I’m not exactly sure what happened. It is very disheartening to see this, you know? Holiday time, everybody wants to celebrate and enjoy the evening, and something like this happens.”
Following the initial incident, a second shooting occurred near Adams and Dearborn streets just thirty minutes later. An 18-year-old man was shot in the leg and sustained serious injuries at that location. Tragically, another male victim succumbed to his injuries after being shot multiple times and was pronounced dead in the hospital.