An Alarming 120 Chicagoans Have Been Shot So Far This Year

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jan 12, 2016 5:53PM

Just barely two weeks into January 2016, Chicago has already seen over 120 shootings—an alarming number close to three times the number of shootings by this time last year.

At least 19 people alone were fatally shot over the weekend of New Year's Day, according to the Tribune, including one killed blocks from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Ravenswood home in a shooting that injured two others.

In 2015, the city saw nearly 3,000 reported shootings, including 467 fatal shootings. That's about 50 more homicides due to gun violence than in 2014, according to WGN.

The Chicago Police Department says—as it typically does—that chronic gang violence, social media braggadocio and bad federal gun laws are to blame.

"Every year Chicago Police recover more illegal guns than officers in any other city, and as more and more illegal guns continue to find their way into our neighborhoods it is clear we need stronger state and federal gun laws," police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. "So far this year, the majority of the gun violence we've seen are a result of chronic gang conflicts driven in part by social media commentary and petty disputes among rival factions. Despite an overall lack of cooperation from gang members, detectives are working aggressively and making optimistic progress in several cases."