Memorial party for Chicago shooting victim turns violent
Mayor sends well wishes to the 13 wounded during a memorial, says 'People deserve to live without fear'
Thirteen people sustained gunshot wounds at a memorial party. Mayor speaks out saying, "People deserve to live their lives without fear."
With the holiday season in full swing, it can be hard to imagine the horror that took place in Chicago during what was supposed to be a party to remember a shooting victim.
On Sunday morning, 13 people sustained gunshot wounds at a memorial party. According to Complex, the violence transpired following a personal dispute and to make matters more disturbing, a shooter decided to fire randomly at attendees who were attempting to leave the party.
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“There was a dispute where shots were fired inside,” Chicago Police Chief Fred Waller said. “The people started to spill out, and as they spilled out more shots were fired. So we have about three [shooting] scenes.”
Authorities also said that the horrific scene was caught on police cameras, which also showed one of the party-goers shooting at a passing vehicle.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot took to Twitter to send her prayers to the 13 victims of the shooting in a series of tweets.
“Our hearts are with the 13 individuals whose lives were significantly harmed after gunmen opened fire at a memorial gathering last night,” Lightfoot wrote late Sunday morning.
Our hearts are with the 13 individuals whose lives were significantly harmed after gunmen opened fire at a memorial gathering last night.
— Archived: Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@mayorlightfoot) December 22, 2019
“People deserve to live their lives without fear of someone pulling out a gun,” she continued. “Especially in a moment of reflection and remembrance during the holiday season.”
According to Complex, Lightfoot spent part of her Sunday visiting the 13 victims, whose ages range from 16-48, in the hospital and was urging people to come forward with any information regarding the shooting.
USA Today reported that two people of interest had been questioned with one having been armed with a revolver and the other sustained a gunshot wound. On Sunday night ABC 7 noted that 37-year-old Marciano White had been charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon after police searched him at the scene, but it is unclear if he was the shooter.
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According to ABC 7, the victim who was being honored at the memorial party was killed in April after attempting a carjacking.
