Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the recent surge in gun violence during a press conference. The violence, which erupted over the holiday weekend, has left numerous families grieving and the city grappling with the aftermath.
Personal Toll of Violence
Mayor Johnson began his address by highlighting the personal impact of the violence. “These are not just numbers on pages. These are not just headlines in the news. No, these are our fellow Chicagoans, our neighbors, family members, who have lost their lives,” he said. “Nineteen families woke up this morning without a son, daughter, mother, father, aunt, or uncle—over 100 people whose lives will never be the same, whose next chapter in life is recovery and healing from this violence.”
Among the victims was an 8-year-old boy, tragically killed in a targeted shooting at his home. The incident also claimed the lives of two women and left two other children critically wounded, according to a police report. Additionally, a mass shooting early Friday morning resulted in eight people being wounded, and a separate shooting two hours later wounded seven more individuals, one of whom later died from his injuries.
A Call for Change
“We are here to say emphatically: This is enough,” Johnson declared. “When this reckless violence ravages across our city at this magnitude, we are losing a piece of the soul of Chicago.”
Despite the heartbreaking events of the weekend, the overall frequency of shooting incidents in Chicago has decreased in 2024 compared to previous years. Data from the Chicago Police Department indicates that as of June 30, shootings were down 27% year-to-date compared to three years ago and down 20% year-to-date compared to four years ago. However, shootings had increased by 12% over the four weeks prior to June 30 compared to the same period last year.
Disproportionate Impact on Black Communities
Mayor Johnson emphasized that gun violence does not occur in isolation. “I’m so sick and tired of losing Black boys to violence in this city,” he said, noting that those who experience gun violence disproportionately tend to be Black. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that Black men face the highest rates of firearm-related homicides.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling provided additional context on the nature of the recent violence. “When we’re looking at this type of violence, we look at celebratory days of the year—the Fourth of July and other days like it—where groups come together, large groups gather, and sometimes this violence comes out of petty arguments,” Snelling said. “People who have been together all day, they come together as a group; they’ve been drinking; tempers flare; and people decide that they’re going to air out their differences through violence, especially gun violence.”
Community and Federal Support Needed
Snelling urged the community to come forward with information about the perpetrators of these violent acts. “Somebody knows who the offenders are in these cases, and it’s really important that we work with our communities… to help us apprehend these individuals who are committing these violent acts. We need to take these people off the street,” he said.
Mayor Johnson called for additional resources from the federal government to help stop gun violence and support victims. He stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of violence and to provide the necessary support for affected communities.
As Chicago continues to grapple with the effects of gun violence, Johnson’s administration remains committed to finding solutions and restoring safety to the city’s neighborhoods. The mayor’s heartfelt plea for change reflects the urgency and gravity of the situation, as the city mourns its losses and strives for a future free from such devastating violence.
