Chicago violence leaves 8 dead, politicians criticized
In an alarming display of violence over the weekend, Chicago faced a wave of crime with 39 individuals becoming victims of 24 separate shooting incidents. This tragic series of events resulted in the deaths of at least eight people. Reporting on this dire situation, ‘Mornings with Maria’ host Maria Bartiromo shared the grim statistics while commentator Liz Peek criticized the city’s political leaders for their failure to curb ongoing criminal activities.
The Fourth of July weekend was particularly tumultuous, with two Chicago police officers shot during a confrontation with an armed suspect. In addition to this altercation, sporadic shootings throughout the city claimed three lives and wounded at least 16 people, as per early police reports.
The Chicago Police Department has identified 34-year-old Malik Wrightsell as a key figure in one of these violent incidents. Charged with attempted first-degree murder among multiple other offenses, Wrightsell faces accusations of aggravated battery and assault of a peace officer, in addition to unlawful firearm possession, marking him a repeat felony offender.
The events unfolded as police conducted a routine traffic stop in the South Chicago neighborhood on Friday, just before 5 p.m. According to police, Wrightsell fled on foot, leading officers on a pursuit to the 7900 block of South Chappel Avenue. It was there he allegedly resisted arrest, escalating the situation to a violent confrontation.
In the aftermath, Chicago police have brought charges against Malik Wrightsell, 34, in connection with the shooting of the two officers during the Fourth of July weekend encounter. (CPD)
During the struggle, police said Wrightsell pulled out a handgun and fired, striking one officer in the abdomen. The officer’s ballistic vest stopped the bullet before returning fire and striking Wrightsell.
A second officer also was shot in the arm during the confrontation, with that officer’s ballistic vest also stopping the bullet. Responding officers rendered aid to both officers and Wrightsell before all three were transported to area hospitals. Police also recovered a firearm at the scene.
Both officers were listed in good condition. Wrightsell was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Two Chicago police officers were shot during a struggle with an armed suspect following a traffic stop over the Fourth of July weekend, authorities said. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
The shooting was one of 11 shooting incidents recorded across Chicago between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, preliminary Chicago Police Department figures provided to News Media show. The incidents left 16 people shot and three people dead.
Citing Chicago police, FOX 32 Chicago reported that six people between the ages of 17 and 20 were wounded in a mass shooting on the city’s West Side early Sunday.
About 10 minutes earlier, a 17-year-old girl was critically wounded in a separate shooting nearby. The station also reported that a 33-year-old man was fatally shot on the West Side, while a 31-year-old man was critically wounded after being found shot inside a home Sunday afternoon.
The skyline in Chicago, Illinois, where shootings across the city left three people dead and at least 16 others wounded, according to preliminary police figures. (iStock)
Several other shootings and stabbings were reported across the city over the holiday weekend.
The preliminary figures marked a sharp decline from the Fourth of July holiday weekend in 2025, when Chicago recorded 32 shootings involving 44 victims, including nine fatalities, FOX 32 Chicago reported.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the officer-involved shooting.