CHICAGO (AP) — A series of shootings in Chicago has resulted in at least seven fatalities and 38 injuries since Friday evening, as reported by the police. This alarming spike in violence has prompted former President Donald Trump to reiterate his demand for military assistance in the city, which ranks as the third-largest in the United States.
In a social media post on Sunday morning, Trump expressed his frustration, stating, “Why isn’t Governor Pritzker calling me for help? I could make Chicago a safe City in ONE MONTH; in ONE YEAR, it would be one of the safest!!!” His comments highlight his ongoing relationship with crime-related issues during his presidency.
The office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who is seen as a potential Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential election, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Trump's intervention proposal. Pritzker has consistently rejected Trump's suggestions for military intervention in Chicago. During Trump's presidency, the National Guard was deployed to assist with crime-fighting in various Democratic-led cities, including New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee.
Recent data from the Chicago Police Department indicates a slight rise in shooting incidents compared to the same period last year. However, overall violent crime rates have shown a decline in the city over the past few years, aligning with national trends. Preliminary information from the Chicago police suggests there have been at least 24 shooting incidents since 5 p.m. on Friday.
Among the victims of this violent weekend were a 21-year-old fatally shot in the chest on Sunday, an 18-year-old shot in the armpit on Saturday evening, and a 50-year-old man who was shot in the chest on Friday. One of the most significant incidents occurred on Friday evening when at least 12 people were wounded in a shooting during a Juneteenth celebration in Chicago. An SUV reportedly pulled up, and individuals inside began shooting into a crowd, affecting eight men and four women aged between 17 and 47, all of whom were taken to four different hospitals. Additionally, another man sustained unspecified injuries but declined medical assistance.
The tragic events unfolded on Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the abolishment of slavery in the United States. Earlier that day, former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, welcomed the first visitors to his presidential center located on the South Side of Chicago. In response to the violence, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated in a post on social media, “What should have been a night of celebration and community reflection for Juneteenth was shattered by a horrific act of violence. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones.” He further emphasized, “Violence has no place in our city, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
Chicago is not the only major U.S. city facing gun-related violence. Over the same weekend, Philadelphia reported that two individuals were killed and two others injured following a shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning. In Cincinnati, a shooting on Saturday evening resulted in three fatalities. Meanwhile, Kansas City, Missouri, police are investigating a shooting from Friday night that left one person dead and five others wounded.
These recent events highlight the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding gun violence in urban areas across the country, with calls for increased intervention and community safety measures becoming ever more pressing.
