A community is reeling after a 7-year-old girl was stabbed to death while out walking on Saturday, and a 48-year-old woman is in custody.
Meanwhile, police are investigating after they say an off-duty officer who was sitting in his vehicle fired at a pedestrian, shooting him twice, before firing into a group of people after an altercation.
Plus, three people were released without charges after a deadly shooting outside a popular suburban mall.
"No child should ever have to experience violence or fear while simply walking down the sidewalk," said a city official, adding, "I also want to recognize and thank the bystanders who quickly intervened — helping to detain the suspect and get assistance on the way. Their quick actions may have prevented further harm."
Police said the off-duty cop stopped his car and talked to a group that was standing on the sidewalk before a man approached and punched him. The officer fired his gun at the man, hitting him twice, before shooting at the group, officials said.
Three people taken into custody following Wednesday's fatal shooting outside a popular suburban mall were released without charges "following a comprehensive review of the evidence," police announced Friday.
Plus: when do the first snowflakes usually fall in Chicago?
"She's a gold digger. She's looking for somebody with money," the official said of one of her employees in a secretly recorded conversation that is stirring controversy.
Already accused of fatally shooting two girlfriends about a year apart, the 21-year-old is now charged with killing a 17-year-old boy in 2025.
Police confirmed a domestic incident at the suburban home, where a massive police presence was seen. Residents in the area reported hearing authorities over a loudspeaker asking a person inside the home to come out with their hands up to avoid harm.
October has arrived, and that means it's time for all things spooky, including heading out to a haunted house in the area. Here's Patch's 2026 guide to the best in the area.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns locally and nationally about data centers' potential effects on electricity costs, water supplies and energy demand and follows a neighboring county's approval of an eight-month moratorium in September, according to the article.
An unidentified suspect went inside an apartment through its rear door at around 5:20 a.m., and then shot and killed the 60-year-old man before running away, police said.
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