Police Reply to Giant Group of Youngsters Downtown for Second Evening in a Row – NBC Chicago

Chicago police responded to large crowds of youngsters Saturday night time at Millennium Park, in the future after the same gathering befell at thirty first Avenue Seashore, prompting police to intensify their presence alongside the lakefront.

Video taken Saturday night time confirmed a large presence on the park, together with massive teams of individuals within the space. The same gathering befell Friday night time close to thirty first Avenue Seashore and ultimately got here to an finish after a teen was shot.

One witness, who requested to not be recognized, mentioned he noticed a chaotic scene unfold.

“It’s heartbreaking, children combating, chasing one another, a few of them acquired weapons,” he mentioned. “It is actually heartbreaking when considered one of them truly will get damage, and that’s unlucky, occurred final night time.”

Lots of of youngsters, presumably even hundreds, gathered on the seashore after seeing flyers posted on social media for a meetup of teenagers.

“It was numerous cops right here, however they have been nonetheless outnumbered,” the witness added. “There have been so many youngsters that confirmed up, they usually tried to maintain the peace and hold them below management.”

The gathering ended after a 14-year-old boy was shot in the thigh simply earlier than 9 p.m. The gunshots despatched lots of of teenagers operating and sparked panic throughout the seashore.

“We have been truly on reside and heard the gunshots, after which he simply collapsed on the bottom,” the witness informed NBC 5.

Cellphone video obtained by NBC 5 exhibits a automobile, believed to be a Tesla, totally engulfed following the taking pictures.

“It was a automotive, they have been standing on a number of vehicles, standing on vehicles, and one of many vehicles simply stored driving in circles, which I consider that’s the one which caught on hearth, they set on hearth,” the witness mentioned.

Police did not launch further specifics on the incident, however did say it “regularly screens and adjusts sources as obligatory so residents and guests can safely benefit from the metropolis, together with our seashores and lakefront space.”

“Final night time, CPD monitored exercise occurring throughout the town and officers have been in place to rapidly reply to lively incidents and enormous gatherings,” the assertion added. “We’ll proceed to have adequate sources in place as we work to strengthen security in each neighborhood.”

Police say a squad automotive was additionally broken, however no officers have been injured. Police did arrest one particular person Friday night time, a 17-year-old boy, who has been accused of a number of gun crimes.

“What’s its going to take? The neighborhood has to step up, dad and mom should step up, we are able to’t hold blaming politicians and ready on them,” the witness mentioned. “It begins with us, its going to take us to save lots of us.”