Chicago struck by spike in deadly gun violence
The city of Chicago is dealing with a major spike in gun violence. Ten people were shot overnight Friday.
Last month, 72 people were shot to death. There have already been 350 homicides in Chicago this year, outpacing the total for the same period in 2015.
The city may even surpass 600 murders for the first time in more than a decade.
Chicago police are warning the city could see one of its most violent and deadly holiday weekends on record.
To combat the violence, the city's embattled police force is adding 5,000 more officers to patrol its Navy Pier and city neighborhoods.
The new police chief, Eddie Johnson, said he's also putting 150 officers that were on desk duty back on the streets.
"I get tired every morning of getting briefed on all these shootings and these murders occurring in Chicago," Johnson said. "Any leader in the city of Chicago, if they're not upset or angry about the level of violence in the city, then they shouldn't be a leader."
Recent victims of gun violence include a 1-year-old girl who was shot in the back of her neck, and a 3-year-old boy was critically wounded by gunfire while sitting inside a car.
Johnson attributed the spike in crime to gang violence and said police have identified 1,400 suspects and potential targets. Two recent raids led to more than 100 arrests.