Over 1,300 People Have Been Shot In Chicago So Far This Year
By Rachel Cromidas in News on May 23, 2016 5:59PM
At least 1,382 people have been shot so far this year in Chicago, according to a tally of police data, and it's only May.
Violent crime tends to be higher in the summer—whether it's because better weather means more people are outside at night or, as some researchers have suggested, because cities like Chicago see an increase in are pollution in the summer, or some other reason entirely. And with the number of fatal and non-fatal shootings climbing in Chicago faster than we've seen in years, some are worried Chicago is in for a particularly bloody summer.
At least 244 Chicagoans have died from bullet wounds in Chicago this year, compared to 157 by this time last year, according to a Tribune analysis of police data. Overall shootings were at about 904 by this time last year as well.
This past weekend, a 26-year-old man was fatally shot in Englewood and seven others wounded in separate shootings around the city within just one 90-minute period early Saturday evening. The shootings spanned the South and West sides, according to NBC, including West Humboldt Park, Woodlawn, Englewood West Pullman and Brainerd. The weekend violence prompted police chief Eddie Johnson to release a statement to reporters that summer violence "will not be tolerated."
As we look toward the summer months, Superintendent Johnson has made it very clear that the violence will not be tolerated - period. The cause of the violence traces back decades, and everyone has a role to play in fixing it - police working with parents, judges, residents, clergy, community leaders, and others. Put simply, we need more values, fewer guns and stronger sentences against violence offenders.
The statement from police hewed to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's typical talking points on combating Chicago gun violence, but did not contain any new specific plans. The mayor has repeatedly called for stricter state and federal gun laws and stronger prison sentences for violent offenders. The statement comes a week before Memorial Day Weekend—the unofficial start to summer in the city. Last year's Memorial Day Weekend was particularly violent, with 56 shootings, 12 of which were fatal.