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CHICAGO — Following the festive tree lighting ceremony at Millennium Park that drew thousands to downtown Chicago over the weekend, two shootings erupted in the Loop, casting a shadow over the celebrations.
There is uncertainty about whether such violent events might dissuade visitors from enjoying the city during the holiday season.
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Local community leaders expressed hope on Monday that these incidents would not deter people from visiting.
Tragically, 14-year-old Armani Floyd lost his life on Friday night. His death was linked to what has been described as a “teen takeover” that spiraled into disorder.
McKinley Nelson, who established Project sWISH, shared that Floyd was an active participant in the youth basketball program he runs, which aims to provide a positive and secure environment for young people.
Nelson remembers Floyd as a kind person, great player and student.
“In a way, it feels defeating. We developed this program to save the kids. Right? And when you lose a kid that’s a participant of the saving, it kind of feels like we’re not doing our work,” Nelson said.
Chicago police say seven other teens were also injured Friday night.
One of the shootings was just outside the ABC7 Chicago State Street studios. It sent a large crowd running in all directions.
In an exclusive interview with ABC7, Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city learned about a possible teen takeover from social media days before, and did what they could to stop it, including adding an additional 700 officers on duty.
“That’s why it’s going to take police officers, it’s going to take my administration, our public education system, our mentoring programs and just adults as a whole. Adults have to know where their children are,” Johnson said.
“Of course, the timing couldn’t have been worse, while we’re celebrating the holidays, the tree lighting and then the Magnificent Mile right the next night. And for the people out there want to call Chicago a ‘hellhole,’ it just gives them fuel for that fire,” Ald. Brian Hopkins said.
Downtown Alderman Hopkins says the same plan the city’s used in the past to deal with these takeovers didn’t work this time, and they’re looking at reasons why.
“We did have adequate numbers. The 700 figure is an accurate number. That should have been enough. What happened early on was there were some violent individuals within this crowd of teens. They were using pepper spray. Several police officers had to seek medical treatment right away after getting hit in the face with pepper spray and mace. They had stun guns. We had advanced knowledge that weapons were present. The police have to proceed very cautiously. And when they initially engaged this group, and the mace and the stun guns came out, the police backed up. And that allowed the group to feel emboldened, and things spiraled downhill from there,” Hopkins said.
Alderman Hopkins says this incident only reinforces the need for an earlier youth curfew, so police can break up crowds before things get out of control and dangerous.
Mayor Johnson previously vetoed his proposed ordinance.
Cook County Crime Stoppers are offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for Floyd’s death.
“A 14-year-old child lost his life, and our community deserves answers. Shooting a 14-year-old just moments after a mass shooting took place where seven teens were shot is unbelievable. Someone out there knows who is responsible. Enough is enough. Too many of our teens are being killed for what? We are asking the public to do the right thing and share any information, no matter how small it may seem. Your anonymity is guaranteed, and your tip could help bring justice for Armani and his family, as well as the victims and the families of the seven teens who were shot on State Street,” said Paul Rutherford, executive director for Cook County Crime Stoppers.
Call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-535-STOP (7867), or visit www.CPDTIP.com.