SIX people were killed and 19 others injured in horrific shootings over the weekend in Chicago, where politicians continue to clash over the severity of the city’s crime rates.
Democratic leaders in Illinois have vowed that residents are safe, despite President Donald Trump’s assertion that the Midwestern haven requires a dose of his “Liberation Day” crime crackdown.
The Chicago Police Department releases daily statistics on how many people are shot in the Windy City.
According to officials, 262 people have been killed this year, which is down from a murder spike that occurred in 2020, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The city experienced a significant increase in violent crime from 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck and nationwide protests erupted, to 2022, but statistics have been steadily declining since then.
Six people were killed in the latest round of gun violence over the weekend, one of whom was a child, according to police.
On Sunday afternoon, the five-year-old grabbed a gun and accidentally shot himself to death, according to local pastor Donovan Price.
A woman has been arrested and charged with child endangerment in the wake of the tragic death.
Also on Sunday, a 17-year-old boy died from a single gunshot wound to the head, according to police.
A weapon was found at the scene, but no arrests have been made.
At around 9:42 p.m. on Sunday, cops responded to a call and discovered two men with gunshot wounds.
The first victim, aged between 25 and 35, was struck multiple times in the torso and rushed to the hospital. He was eventually pronounced dead.
The other victim was struck in the head and was in the hospital, fighting for his life.
Just before midnight Sunday, a 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were arguing with another man, whom cops knew, when he pulled out a gun and shot them.
The 25-year-old man was struck in the body and transported to the hospital, where he died.
The woman was struck on the side and was in critical condition.
The shooter dashed into a nearby home and barricaded himself inside while a SWAT team arrived.
He finally turned himself in and was arrested.
Meanwhile, on Friday, shortly after 10 p.m., an unknown man approached two 38-year-old men loitering on the side of the street and opened fire on them.
Both victims were rushed to the hospital, where they later died.
CRIME CRACKDOWN
Trump has made it clear that Chicago is at the top of the list of cities that may soon face a federal crime crackdown.
He has threatened to deploy federal troops on city streets since federalizing local police forces in Washington, DC on “Liberation Day.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said he was waiting for Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to request that the national guard be deployed.
“Chicago, everybody knows how bad it is,” the president said, describing the city as a “killing field.”
“Everybody standing there knows […] They should be saying, ‘Please, come in.'”
On Monday, Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker blasted Trump’s remarks, saying, “Do not come to Chicago, you are neither wanted nor needed here”
“Donald Trump wants to use the military to occupy a US city to punish its dissidents and score political points,” according to the governor.
“If this were happening in any other country, we would have no trouble calling it what it is – a dangerous power-grab.”
Trump Brings National Guard to DC
How Does Federalizing a City’s Police Force Work?
The president can take control if local order breaks down or with city approval.
In DC, federal law allows Congress and the president to oversee police under certain rules.
A federal official can be put in charge of the local police temporarily.
How Do Federal Police and the National Guard Work Together?
CRIME OVER THE YEARS
On Wednesday, the White House published a press release highlighting damning statistics on crime in Chicago.
According to The Center Square, Illinois’ hub will be designated as the country’s homicide capital for the 13th consecutive year in 2024.
It also had the highest murder rate per capita of major cities, including Los Angeles and New York City.
According to data released by the city government, 147,000 crimes have been reported since January 1, with only 16.2% resulting in arrests.
Locals are outraged by the violence that occurs outside their doors, and some are calling for increased policing.
After five people were shot at a senior living facility, Sandie Norman, a local pastor and advocate, stated, “You have seniors who have been shot.” “Where is the outcry?”
“We need to have a police car out here and a detail because we don’t know if this will happen again,” she told the Chicago Sun Times.
