29 Shot In Chicago Over Weekend: 2 Officers Among The Injured

Reports indicate that various violent incidents left 29 shot in Chicago over the weekend. Included in the shooting were four fatalities. Two police officers were injured in one of the incidents, though both are expected to fully recover.

NBC Chicago shares that at least one person out of the 29 people shot in Chicago was the victim of gang-related violence. This particular incident resulted in the death of one 18-year-old male. One of the other fatalities occurred in a shooting that reportedly involved domestic violence.

A traffic stop led to gunfire in the Washington Heights area, according to CBS Chicago. Late Friday night two officers pulled a vehicle over and shots rang out as they approached. They returned fire, resulting in multiple injuries at the scene. The driver, 29-year-old Mike Shabazz, was hospitalized. He faces five counts of attempted murder. He was wounded when police returned fire in the incident.

A woman in the car with Shabazz was also injured after she took a bullet to the shoulder. The two officers involved were hit as well. One, a 38-year-old who has been on the force for 12 years, received a gunshot to the knee. His partner, a six-year veteran of the force, was hit in the chest, but he was wearing a bulletproof vest and was not injured. According to the Chicago Tribune, Shabazz is now in police custody and is held without bail.

One of the victims in the shooting authorities believe may have been gang-related was 18-year-old Alante Vallejo. The Rogers Park shooting happened Friday afternoon when multiple shots rang out on West Howard Street. Vallejo had just graduated from Evanston Township High School about a week ago. He was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead less than an hour after the shooting.

At this point authorities aren’t detailing what the gang connection to this particular shooting may be. It’s also unclear whether Vallejo was believed to be linked to the shooters or simply an innocent bystander. Another man, 20, was also shot in that incident but was able to walk to the hospital on his own accord. He is listed in good condition.

Though the 29 shot in Chicago over the weekend fell prey to different shooters under differing circumstances, the tally highlights the increasing problems with gun violence in the city. While the suspect in the officer shooting is in custody, it seems most or all of the other shooters are still at large at this point.