CHICAGO – Officials are increasing security at a North Side high school after a gang-related shooting injured a 15-year-old boy in Hamlin Park Friday afternoon. According to a source, the shooting is part of the escalating tensions between the street gangs Maniac Latin Disciples and Insane Deuces.
In an email distributed Saturday afternoon, Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) said Chicago police “believe this was a targeted incident related to gang ties,” adding that the CPD will increase its presence next week during layoffs at Alcott High School.
Additionally, CWBChicago has learned that more shots were fired in the area early Saturday. About 3:39 a.m., residents reported gunfire in the 3100 block of North Leavitt, and a 911 caller reported a bullet going through their window. Shell casings were found at the scene. Although no injuries were reported, a source familiar with Friday’s shooting investigation was confident the overnight incident was related to the ongoing gang conflict.
“I have also spoken with CPS security personnel and they are also coordinating with police to address the issue inside and outside the school,” Waguespack continued. “We will work with the Chicago Public Schools Office of Safety and Security to understand what additional measures can be taken to ensure this does not happen again.”
Alcott is located on Wellington Avenue, directly across from the south side of Hamlin Park.
Waguespack said graffiti has appeared in the area around the school and park in recent days. Images of those tags were shared with the CPD’s gang unit.
He asked residents to review their private security system footage to see if their cameras recorded anything that could be useful in the police investigation.
A video shared with CWBChicago showed a red SUV coming to a stop in the 3000 block of North Hoyne, near the park’s basketball courts, around 2:19 p.m. Friday. Officials said two gunmen emerged from that vehicle, but only one is visible in the footage. They run towards the park and a single shot rings out before the gunman returns to the passenger seat of the vehicle and the car drives away.
A pickup truck blocked the camera’s view of the actual shooting, but people who appeared to be of high school age were seen running from the park before the shot was fired. After the shooting, a boy is heard yelling for someone to call 911.
EMS transported the victim to Lurie Children’s Hospital in serious condition with a gunshot wound to his back.
“Safety is my top priority and I will keep you informed as police work continues,” Waguespack said in his email. “We will help in any way we can to catch these perpetrators and hold them accountable for their crimes against the community.”
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