Six People Shot At South Side Laundromat
(CBS) – Six people, including two teenagers, were wounded Monday night in a shooting at a South Shore neighborhood laundromat.
CBS 2's Susanna Song reports two of the six victims were in or affiliated with gangs.
"At least a couple of them are gang members. Not all of them, but certainly pattern here indicates that it's probably likely gang violence at this point," Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said.
Police Suspect Shooting Was Gang-Related
Detectives were reviewing surveillance video from surrounding businesses, and a nearby police blue light camera to find out if they can identify the gunman.
Police and paramedics responded to the shooting around 8 p.m. at the Sudz laundry at the corner of 79th and Marquette. Four victims were found inside the coin-operated laundry, while two others were found inside.
Jedidiah Brown, pastor of Chosen Generation Church, said the intended target was among a group of people outside the Laundromat when the gunman approached.
"There was an intended target in that crowd. That intended target ran in that laundromat, and they pursued them in the Laundromat," he said.
The victims included a 14-year-old boy who collapsed a block away from the scene after he fled from the gunfire. A 16-year-old boy also was shot in the leg.
A seventh person was hurt when she injured her toe as she ran away from the laundromat.
Though some victims initially were listed in serious-to-critical condition, none of the injuries was life-threatening. Most victims were shot in the leg or arm. Three victims were released from the hospital overnight, and the other three were expected to be released later Tuesday.
Even so, the shooting has many South Shore residents fearing for their safety.
"You go to the laundromat to wash clothes, and you get shot. Come on, now. It's got to stop," South Shore resident Valerie Nealy said.
Ezekiel Herrera said the violence makes him want to move away.
"I fear I'll be in kitchen, or in the bathroom, and die while I'm going to the bathroom," Ezekiel Herrera said.
He's not the only one who wants to move.
Nealy said she's lived in South Shore for two years, "and I was ready to go when I got here."
McCarthy said detectives were following very strong leads, and were searching for one gunman.
