Chicago beefs up police presence after already violent Fourth of July holiday
CHICAGO (CBS) -- After an already violent Fourth of July holiday with multiple mass shootings in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson's office announced new measures on Friday in hopes of beefing up security.
The new measures came after three separate mass shootings in less than 24 hours, including one early Thursday morning in the 7100 block of South Woodlawn Avenue, which left two women and a 7-year-old boy dead and two other children in critical condition.
The victims were two women, identified by the family as Capri Edwards, 24, Nakeeshia Strong, 45, and Strong's 7-year-old son Bryson Orr, who died. Two other boys, brothers ages 5 and 8, who were injured, are also Edwards' children, family said.
Edwards' grandmother said the youngest is fighting for his life.
"Two ventilators. They're trying to keep him. So he's fighting. So I be talking to him and kissing him and say, 'Baby pull through,'" said Denise, the grandmother. "Capri, she died shielding her 1-year-old. She saved him, but her other two are fighting."
The two children injured were still recovering at Comer Children's Hospital on Friday.
Friends, family, and Mayor Johnson were expected to gather on Friday afternoon at the scene of that shooting to honor those killed.
No one has been arrested in connection with the shooting. Chicago police descended on the block where the mass shooting took place to let the family know they were not alone.
"Where's our anger? Because I'll tell you right now, I'm angry," said Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling. "I'm pissed off and I'm just going to tell you this right now, we will work our fingers to the bone until we find these people."
Additional safety measures
In the wake of the violence, Johnson announced new measures in hopes of beefing up security across the city.
"We are devastated by the recent violence that has left our city in a state of grief and we extend out heartfelt condolences to the families and communities impacted by these recent events," Johnson said in a statement.
Johnson said the Chicago Police Department will utilize officers whose days off were previously canceled for the weekend to "maximize presence and ensure prompt incident response."
The city held a community rally at 71st Place and Woodlawn Avenue to "promote bonding, support, and healing."
Police will also activate an "Emergency Services Assistance Center at Fosco Park on South Racine Avenue to "provide emergency support services to community residents."
Community members gathered late Friday afternoon to call for a stop to the violence.
"We all stand for what's right in our community, and that is to let our children grow up and have a peaceful environment for everybody in these communities," said Arthur Reed, of the Second Chance Initiative Inc.