Gun violence in Chicago erupted over 4th of July weekend with at least a dozen people killed.
According to the Huffington Post , at least 74 people were shot in Chicago over 4th of July weekend. Twelve of those people died from their injuries.
Chicago gun violence has been a problem in recent years. The city has seen fewer gun related incidents this year but its hard to see the progress when 74 people get shot in a single weekend.
Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthysaid in a statement: “While to date we’ve had significantly fewer shootings and significantly fewer murders this year, there’s more work to be done and we won’t rest until everyone in Chicago enjoys the same sense of safety.”
The Huffington Post reports that Chicago saw its 200th homicide on Saturday when 25-year-old Jerimiah Milsap was killed on the 1000 block of West Maxwell Street. Sadly, Chicago quickly surpassed the 200 milestone with at least two more murders. The Chicago Suntimes reports that by the end of the 4th of July Weekend Chicago had seen 202 homicides. By this time last year, Chicago had 275 homicides.
Chicago has stepped up its anti-gun violence efforts but many feel that the city isn’t doing enough to keep citizens safe.
ABSOLUTELY SICKENING > RT @Slate More than 70 people were shot in Chicago over the holiday weekend: http://t.co/p7Yyqn2a6f
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 8, 2013
Remember, the only @NRA answer to 70 shot during long weekend in Chicago is obviously…. MORE GUNS. #Madness
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 8, 2013
Chicago Police spokesman Adam Collins said that the CPD is working to make sure that people feel safe.
Collins said: “Every day, Chicago Police work to combat crime and violence in close partnership with the communities we serve. We all have a role to play in the safety of our city. And though we’ve had significantly fewer shootings this year, there’s certainly more work to be done and we’re not going to rest until every one in the city enjoys the same sense of safety.”
Officers may be working hard to stop gun violence but some citizens are taking matters into their own hands. A man attending the Fireworks show at Navy Pier ran down a crook this weekend because he was “fed up” with all of the crime.