CHICAGO (WLS) — As summer nears its end in Chicago, the city is confronting the deadliest and largest mass shooting of the season, which unfolded over the weekend.
At least 41 people were shot in incidents of gun violence across Chicago from Friday through Sunday night, with three people killed. Among those victims were 15 people struck by gunfire Saturday night in Washington Park, including one person who died.
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The day in Washington Park had started on a peaceful note, as former residents of the Robert Taylor Homes came together for a reunion. But by nightfall, the gathering had been shattered by violence.
Bamani Obadele, who once lived in the Robert Taylor Homes, said the community must not allow shootings like this to become an accepted part of life.
“This is not something we should embrace as a norm. This is unacceptable and we need to do better as a community to get out in front of these incidents,” said Obadele, who is with the community health organization Acclivus.
Obadele said he believes the shooting targeted 35yearold Rontonio Guterz, who was killed. Fourteen others were injured, most of them described as innocent bystanders.
Pastor Sandie Norman of Life Beyond Limit Inc. urged those responsible to stop the violence.
“I really want to speak to the shooters. You know what you’re doing is wrong. You know you don’t get a pass to kill people and go into these large gatherings shooting innocent people,” she said. “We have a tendency to normalize 15 people that have been shot one day and the by tomorrow the issue goes away. And it should be more accountability.”
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Earlier in the day, Acclivus had a table in the park offering information about its services, including mental health therapy and crime intervention. Obadele said he is concerned that many young people will be scarred after witnessing the violence.
A short distance away in Douglass Park, another shooting left one person dead and two others injured. Acclivus is offering services to those affected by both incidents.
“We must help young people understand this is not normal behavior and this is not acceptable means to an end. We have to deal with conflict in a different way,” Obadele said.
Chicago police say they have made no arrests so far in either of those shootings. Crimestoppers is offering a reward for information.
Acclivus will host an event Tuesday to help victims and their families at their office on 54th and Wentworth from 2-6 p.m.
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