Chicago's long, hot summer of gun violence

Every day I click on the Chicago Tribune website and every day it seems I read a headline like this: "At least 11 wounded across city on steamy night" A headline from the day before indicated that 2 were dead and at least 11 wounded on Saturday night.

The city that has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation - and vigorously enforced - is a shooting gallery. Here are some of the latest victims:

* A 13-year-old boy told police that he was standing on the street in the 7200 block of South Campbell Avenue at about 12:25 a.m., when he heard gunshots and realized he'd been shot in the leg, police said.

The boy was taken Holy Cross, where he was being treated. Police couldn't offer a motive for the shooting, but Chicago Lawn District officers said the boy denied being in a street gang.

* Just before 12:30 a.m. Monday, a man and woman were sitting in the vehicle in the 7200 block of South Dobson Avenue in the Grand Crossing neighborhood when police said a gunman inside a dark-colored vehicle pulled up alongside them and opened fire.

The man, 54, was struck in the eye, while the woman, 56, was struck in the head, said police, citing early reports. Despite the wounds, both victims were talking at the scene and were taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said.

* At about 1:50 a.m. Monday, a 31-year-old man was with a group of friends getting into a car in the 5500 block of South Pulaski Road when his group began arguing with a man in another vehicle, police said.

The man got out, pulled a handgun and opened fire, striking the victim in the upper back and delivering a graze wound to his head, police said.

The victim's friends drove him to Holy Cross Hospital before he was transferred to Christ, where his condition was described as "guarded," police said.

No arrests were made in any of the shootings. No arrests - and no answers - for why Chicago has as many casualties on some nights as a city in a war zone.

Source




PA: Mugger shot: "One man was killed and another injured early Thursday morning in Aliquippa after gunfire broke out during a robbery attempt on the street. Jiwan Bailey, 19, of Penn Hills, was killed by a bullet to the chest, according to Aliquippa police Chief Ralph Pallante. The chief said Mr. Bailey and two others tried to rob Lucien Roberts, 26, and Brian Elmore Jr., 21, both of Aliquippa, around 2:14 a.m. in the 100 block of Fifth Avenue. When someone in the trio pulled a gun, Mr. Roberts drew his handgun. There was a tussle and Mr. Roberts' gun went off, striking Mr. Bailey in the chest, the chief said. After the shots went off, Mr. Bailey's companions ran away, and Mr. Roberts called 911. Chief Pallante said Mr. Roberts was cooperative and there were no plans to charge him."


HI: Charges not refiled against farmer who shot thief dead: "Whatever happened to the case against a Kahuku farmer who was charged with murder after fatally shooting a man who allegedly threatened him while trying to steal his crops in 2004? Answer: The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office said it has closed the case against farmer Khamxath Baccam and will not refile criminal charges after a judge dismissed a second-degree murder charge in 2006. Baccam was accused of fatally shooting Marcelino Pacheco, 38, who was found dead on Malaekahana Road on Sept. 7, 2004, after Baccam walked into the Wahiawa District Police Station to report the incident. Baccam fired a shotgun in self-defense because he “faced a terrifying encounter and felt the need to protect himself,” his attorney, Todd Eddins, said at a Sept. 14, 2004, court hearing. Acting Circuit Judge Hilary Gangnes dismissed the second-degree murder charge on Nov. 8, 2006, because the prosecutor’s office took longer than 180 days to bring the case to trial, in violation of Hawaii’s speedy trial law."


D.C. wants to open gun shop in police facilities: "D.C. Mayor Vince Gray's administration is asking for a zoning change that would allow a gun dealer to set up shop in police headquarters and other police facilities. Zoning rules and a small gun market have left the city without a licensed federal arms dealers since April, making it impossible for District residents to legally buy guns. Earlier this week, D.C. Councilman Phil Mendelson chose not to introduce a bill he wrote that would have created a city agency to play the role of gun dealer, because Mendelson said the Gray administration was close to finding a solution for the city's lone gun dealer. It appears the solution is to allow licensed dealers to sell their wares from inside police stations."