Crime & Safety
Washington Park Shootout Leaves 2 Dead, 7 Shot
Chicago police say that two groups were involved in a "personal altercation," and are offering a $15,000 reward for info leading to arrests.
CHICAGO — A summer evening in the park took a violent turn when two groups of people started shooting each other during a "personal altercation," police say.
Around 7:46 p.m. Tuesday, Chicago police responded to shot spotter notification in Washington Park in the 500 block of East 51st Street. Police said two groups of people were having an argument that quickly escalated into gunfire. Both groups apparently began shooting each other, resulting in multiple people getting shot.
The ages of the injured ranged from 19 to 46. The two deceased victims included a 43-year-old man who was shot in the back of the head and transported to UChicago Medicine in critical condition. He was pronounced dead a short time later. He was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner as Lionel Coward.
Find out what's happening in South Sidefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A 20-year-old man who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his body also died later in the evening.
The other victims that paramedics were transported to UChicago Medicine in good condition, including a 30-year-old man who suffered a gunshot wound in his left shin, a 39-year-old man wounded in the right ankle, a 27-year-old woman who was shot in her upper left thigh, and a 22-year-old man who suffered a two gunshot wounds to his left elbow.
Find out what's happening in South Sidefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Three more victims self-transported to UChicago Medicine, including a 19-year-old man who suffered a gunshot wound to her his upper right shoulder, a 33-year-old woman with a graze wound to her upper right arm, and a 46-year-old man who suffered a graze wound to the right calf.
Washington Park is currently hosting UniverSoul Circus, but there was no performance on Tuesday, "otherwise there would have been more security," police said.
Nobody was in custody as of Wednesday morning. Area One detectives are investigating. Police believe all of those shot in the two groups were involved in the altercation.
A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to arrests. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Area 1 detectives or use their tip line at 833-408-0069.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
