More than a dozen people were injured Thursday night in a shooting in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. Three people were in critical condition, including a 3-year-old boy.
A victim is taken away from the scene of the shooting in Chicago on Thursday night.
Via Twitter: @KTLA
Thirteen people, including a 3-year-old boy, were injured Thursday night when gunmen opened fire on people in a park on Chicago's South Side. The incident took place shortly after 10 p.m. in the city's Back of the Yards neighborhood.
According to a witness, dreadlocked men in a gray sedan opened fire from their vehicle before turning toward Cornell Square Park and continuing to shoot at random people in the park.
"They hit the light pole next to me, but I ducked down and ran into the house," Julian Harris, 22, told the Chicago Sun-Times. "They've been coming 'round here looking for people to shoot every night — just gangbanging stuff. It's what they do."
Eleven victims were taken away in ambulances while another person apparently drove himself to the hospital for treatment, the Chicago Tribune reported. One child, two teens, and 10 adults were among the wounded.
The 3-year-old boy, who was shot in the face, and two others, were in critical condition, Chicago Fire Department officials said. The rest of the victims were reported to be in serious to fair condition.
Authorities believe the attack was gang-related, but have yet to make any arrests in connection with the shooting.
Earlier in the evening, six other people were shot in separate incidents across the city — one fatally — bringing the total shot during the night to 19.
According to new crime statistics released this week by the FBI, Chicago had more homicides in 2012 than any other city in the country. The city recorded 500 murders in 2012, up from 431 in 2011.
The shooting took place at Cornell Square Park.
Police investigate the shooting scene in Cornell Square Park on Thursday, Sept. 19.
Getty Images
