A pair of shootings in Chicago’s downtown region left one person dead and numerous others injured.
According to CBS News, Fox 32 Chicago, and NBC Chicago, the Chicago Police Department stated that one person was killed and eight people were injured in the shootings on Friday, Nov. 21, blocks away from Millennium Park, where a Christmas tree lighting had taken place hours before.
The first incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. local time near the intersection of State and Randolph streets, close to the Chicago Theatre. Chicago police officers were on patrol when they heard gunshots fired into a big crowd in the area.
According to CBS News, officers discovered seven youngsters aged 13 to 17 with gunshot wounds in various places of their bodies. They were sent to local hospitals in “good” and “fair” condition, according to Fox News Chicago.
In a post on X, 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins claimed that “300 juveniles” were “rioting in the Loop” and that “at least 5 victims were shot,” including “one critical with life-threatening gunshot wound to the torso.” He continued, “Multiple police officers [were] attacked and injured with mace and stun guns, at least one PO hospitalized.”
A second shooting happened in the 100 block of South Dearborn Street, where officers discovered two victims with gunshot wounds. They were brought to nearby Northwestern Hospital, where one was pronounced dead.
According to CBS News, the other male, an 18-year-old, arrived at the hospital in bad condition after being wounded in the leg.
The Chicago Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for information on the occurrences.
It was a busy night in Chicago’s downtown Loop, as hundreds of people gathered in Millennium Park hours before the shootings to see the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and celebrate the first night of Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza.
Some spectators who were out enjoying the holiday celebrations noticed the first occurrence. Linda Dixon, one of those people, told CBS News that she was leaving the Chicago Theatre with a group when she seen cops hurry by.
“We’re coming out of the theater, and everybody just [started] running,” she told the site. “We almost got hit in the roadway because everyone was fleeing that way from down here. “I am not sure what happened.”
“It’s upsetting to see this, you know? Everyone wants to celebrate and enjoy the evening during the holidays, and this happens,” she explained.
