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CHICAGO (WLS) — A 14-year-old student was shot near a South Side high school Wednesday afternoon, Chicago police said.
A parent told ABC7 that gunfire erupted during a large fight that her son was involved in with other students. The shooting left her son’s 14-year-old classmate wounded.
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The teen was in the street in the 300-block of East 37th Street about 3:20 p.m. near Wendell Phillips Academy High School in Bronzeville when a suspect approached and fired shots, police said.
The boy was shot in the leg, and he was taken to Insight Hospital in fair condition, CPD said.
Chopper 7 was over the scene about 4 p.m., and there was a large police presence.
Roughly a dozen CPD squad cars could be seen in front of the Chicago Public Schools facility, and some crime scene tape was seen nearby.
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One concerned mother rushed to the high school after hearing from police that her son was involved in a fight. She said it was during that fight when someone began firing shots and one of her son’s classmates at Wendell Phillips was injured.
CPS said the incident took place during dismissal.
“Please know that we take safety extremely seriously. If your child voices any concerns or fears to you about this incident, please reach out to us and we will be able to provide them additional support,” CPS said. “We will continue striving to provide our students with a safe and positive learning environment where they can reach their full potential.”
A sudden email from the school’s principal had Troy Gaston, a relative of a student, and his family rushing to the high school, where they were greeted by dozens of officers manning the entrance near Pershing and Giles. Gaston believes it was gang violence.
“It’s students that’s already in the gang versus the students that don’t want to be in the gang, right?” Gaston said. “And the students who have to walk past lawless to get home are being threatened.”
Students and staff were immediately brought back indoors while a soft lockdown was briefly put in place.
“Students didn’t know what was going on,” Gaston said. “They’re mostly concerned about coming back to school.”
The school’s principal said in a letter sent to parents, “I am very sorry to report that a member of our community was injured in this incident. While I cannot go into detail for privacy reasons, I want to assure you that they received immediate support and are currently recovering.”
The 14-year-old victim is recovering at Insight Hospital.
Area One detectives are investigating. So far, there’s no word on any arrests.
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