One person is dead and eight others are injured after massive teen riots tore through downtown Chicago during the city’s Christmas tree lighting.
The violence shattered what was supposed to be a major holiday celebration.
Chicago police said the chaos started around 9:50 p.m. when seven teenagers were shot near North State Street and East Madison Street. A large crowd had gathered on the sidewalk when officers suddenly heard gunfire.
Officers watched groups of teens scatter in every direction as victims collapsed on the street. Police said everyone shot in the first incident was under 18 years old.
Less than an hour later, more shots rang out near South Dearborn and West Adams streets. Two people were hit in the second shooting. One victim, a teenage boy, was struck multiple times.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) confirmed the deceased victim was a 14-year-old boy.
Police said he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, as Trending Politics reported.
A second victim, an 18-year-old man, was shot in the leg. He was hospitalized in serious condition. The two shootings happened about three blocks apart.
The violence erupted right after the city held its annual Christmas tree lighting in Millennium Park. Officials estimated the event drew around 20,000 people to kick off the holiday season.
During the week, several social media accounts pushed an unauthorized teen “takeover” event for the same night. Chicago Public Schools had already warned families to keep minors away from downtown due to fears of huge crowds and trouble.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as packs of teens swarmed the Loop. Crowds broke apart and sprinted in different directions once the atmosphere turned hostile. Alderman Brian Hopkins later labeled the situation a full-scale riot that disrupted the entire event.
The city had added 700 extra officers and community violence intervention workers ahead of the night. Johnson admitted the town still was not prepared for the size of the turnout.
Police reported 18 arrests connected to the disturbances. Several officers were injured during the chaos, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Johnson addressed the shootings on Saturday morning before another scheduled event. He acknowledged that the violence delivered a blow to the city’s image and public trust.
He said the incidents “set us back as a city and evoke fear.” He said many Chicagoans spent the night celebrating before the violence unfolded nearby.
He added that thousands came out to show pride in their city. He said the contrast between the celebration and the chaos felt like “emotional whiplash.”
Chicago police are still investigating both shootings. No suspects have been publicly identified.
