Analysis: Chicago’s total number of ‘school adjacent’ shootings tops among 13 cities

CHICAGO (WGN) — Last year, there were more than 3,000 shootings within 500 yards of a Chicago school.

That’s according to a new analysis by WGN Investigates and the Trace’s Gun Violence Data Hub, which has studied “school adjacent” shootings in Chicago and 12 other U.S. cities.

Trace found that only Baltimore and Milwaukee had a higher rate of “school adjacent” shootings than Chicago. But Chicago had the highest total number, with 17,256 shootings from 2017 to 2024.

Observers note the data doesn’t indicate if students were involved. It does show most shootings did not occur during school hours.

But even as violent crime has fallen citywide, the findings show it remains a concern in some areas.  

“School shootings are huge events when they happen—and rightfully so—but what I think we lose in the conversation is that these students are exposed to gun violence on their way to school,” said Aaron Mendelson, data journalist at Trace, a nonprofit that investigates U.S. gun violence.

“Sometimes they’re hearing gunfire while they’re in school [or] during after school programs,” he added. “This violence might be happening while they’re sleeping but it’s something they could encounter on their walk to school the next day.”

The analysis found five Chicago schools had seen more than 200 shootings close to campus. And 52 schools had seen more than 100 nearby shootings.

Genevieve Melody STEM Elementary School, found at 3937 West Wilcox Street, had the highest total with 312 nearby shootings since 2017, according to the analysis.

In all, there were 3,230 shootings near Chicago schools last year, the second lowest total since 2017.

But there are concerns that federal funding cuts and Chicago’s budget shortfall could imperil violence interruption work, or leave school Safe Passage routes understaffed.

“If you have a relationship with the kids in the community, a lot of them will call you and say ‘man, you better get over here’ or someone in the community will call you and say, ‘it’s about to go down,’” said Fredrick Seaton, outreach supervisor at Institute for Nonviolence Chicago. “We mobilize our team and we get there.”

The analysis found most of Chicago’s shootings near schools happened in the evening and overnight. But 25% occurred between noon and 6 p.m.