One man has died and nine others have been injured after gunmen opened fire on a large gathering in Chicago’s Washington Park, police said.
The shooting happened at about 11.37pm on Saturday, August 29, in the 5400 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue in the city’s South Side. Officers were at the scene attempting to disperse the crowd when shots were fired.
A 35-year-old man who was shot several times was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Centre, where he later died.
Six of the other victims, aged between 26 and 45, were taken to hospitals including the University of Chicago Medical Centre, Stroger Hospital and St Bernard Hospital. They were reported to be in good condition.
Three further victims – a 37-year-old woman, a 23-year-old man and a 35-year-old man – were taken to hospital, although police had not initially confirmed their conditions or where they had been treated.
The Chicago Police Department has not said how many shooters were involved. No description of the gunmen had been released and no arrests had been announced.
Police said the reason for the gathering remained unclear. Area detectives are investigating, and no officers were reported to have been injured.
Reward offered after Chicago mass shooting
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Paul Rutherford, the organisation’s executive director, said: “This senseless act of violence has devastated another Chicago community and left families dealing with unimaginable pain.”
He urged anyone who had seen or heard anything connected with the shooting to come forward anonymously, saying information could be passed to investigators without putting witnesses or their families at risk.
Information can be given to Cook County Crime Stoppers on 1-800-535-7867 or through its online tip service.
