Article Summary –
Despite a general decrease in gun violence in America, the Fourth of July weekend saw 109 people shot in Chicago including 19 fatalities. The victims were all male, aged between 16 and 36. The weekend’s violence comes as part of a broader trend of increased gun violence during summer months, and Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling has emphasized the need for public cooperation and societal effort to address the issue.
Chicago’s Fourth of July Weekend Marred by Gun Violence Spike
Despite a decrease in gun violence over the past year, Chicago witnessed 109 people shot, including 19 fatalities, during the Fourth of July weekend, as stated in a police news conference. The victims were all males aged between 16 and 36 years, as per police records.
Chicago Gun Violence Stats
Gun violence has dropped across the city and the nation in recent years. By June 24, Chicago recorded 1,105 shooting incidents, marking a 6% reduction from the same period last year and a 12% decline over the past two years. The city also reported 271 gun deaths, a 12% and 16% reduction from the previous year and over two years, respectively.
The Peak of Gun Violence
Independence Day is notoriously known for the highest gun violence in the U.S. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and independent researchers have identified the first week of July as an especially violent period. Factors contributing to this increase include higher temperatures leading to discomfort and aggression, and the fact that more people are outdoors due to warm weather.
Chicago Authorities React to Gun Violence Spike
Chicago Police Department Superintendent, Larry Snelling, stressed on society’s role in preventing violence. “The police cannot be in everybody’s backyard. Everyone needs to be involved, this cannot just be the police department alone,” he said. Mayor Brandon Johnson shared a statement, expressing his devastation by the recent violence and pledging the city’s commitment to safety.
The mayor announced measures to counter violence, including cancelling police officer vacations to maximize presence, activating an emergency service assistance centre, and holding a community rally. However, these measures did not halt the shootings.
Urgent Call for Community Engagement
Superintendent Snelling appealed for public tips and cooperation to apprehend suspects, particularly those who choose to harm women and children. “They have to be taken off the street. If we’re not doing that, then we’re failing other families. We’re failing people in our city,” Snelling insisted.
Victims of Gun Violence
Among the victims was an 8-year-old boy, while several 15 to 16-year-olds were shot over the weekend. In one case, eight people aged 18 to 74 were shot, and in another, seven people aged 15 to 40 were shot, resulting in the death of a 40-year-old.
Chicago Prepares for Democratic National Convention
Chicago Police are also preparing for the upcoming Democratic National Convention next month, expecting potential protests or civil unrest. Plans include not pulling resources necessary to keep neighborhoods safe to place around the footprint of the DNC.
Addressing the Root Cause
Mayor Johnson attributes the city’s violence to “generations of disinvestment and deep disenfranchisement”. He is calling for more federal resources to increase intervention and prevention of gun violence, including more personnel to get illegal guns off the streets. “We are going block to block, neighborhood by neighborhood, to ensure that the city is safe and stop this violence,” declared Johnson.
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