At least 44 shot, 7 fatally, in gun violence across Chicago over July 4 weekend

CHICAGO — At least 44 people were shot, seven fatally, in gun violence across Chicago over the Fourth of July weekend, according to police.

The shootings occurred between 6 p.m. Thursday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. According to preliminary figures, this may be the least violent July 4 weekend in several years.

Police said the most recent shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. Sunday on the 5200 block of West Ferdinand Street in the Austin neighborhood. Officers responding to a call of people shot discovered two men in an alleyway.

A 27-year-old man was shot in the face and transported in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital. A 25-year-old man was shot in the right thigh and transported to the same hospital in fair condition.

There is no one in custody. Area Four Detectives are investigating.

Around the same time Sunday night, police responded to a call of a person shot on the 0-100 block of North Lorel Avenue, also in the Austin neighborhood,

A 25-year-old man told officers he stepped outside when another man took out a gun and opened fire in his direction. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the right thigh and was transported to Stronger Hospital in good condition. There is no one in custody and Area Four Detectives are investigating.

Seven people were shot in the city’s Back of the Yards on Friday night after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the Fourth of July holiday on the 4800 block of South Justine Street.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the victims were gathered in the area when two unknown male offenders approached on foot before one of them pulled out a gun and opened fire into the crowd.

Two of the wounded suffered critical injuries and remain at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

About three hours later, four more men were shot several times in a drive-by shooting on the 2700 block of South California Boulevard in Little Village.

Preliminary investigation indicates that male offenders in a dark SUV drove past the victims who were inside of a parked vehicle and opened fire. No one is in custody and Area One Detectives are investigating.

Among this weekend’s shooting victims is 16-year-old Meeyah Smith. According to police, Smith was in Avalon Park, near the 1200 block of East 83rd Street, around 11 p.m. on July 4 when she was approached by a suspect who opened fire. She was struck by gunfire and later pronounced dead.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for any tip that leads to an arrest. 

Last Fourth of July, which was a longer holiday weekend, more than 100 people were shot and 19 were killed.