Man with disabilities critically hurt after being shot in head in Back of the Yards
CHICAGO (CBS) – A man with special needs was fighting for his life late Wednesday after being shot in the head in the Back of the Yards neighborhood hours earlier.
As CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reported, police believe the man is an innocent victim of an ongoing gang conflict. Franza spoke with the victim's family, who said this was a case of mistaken identity.
The victim, a 21-year-old man with disabilities, got out of surgery Wednesday afternoon. His family does not know if he will ever have vision again – but he is alive.
The shooting happened in the 4700 block of South Wolcott Avenue at 6:38 a.m.
The victim was outside with two other people when a group of three male attackers approached on foot and started yelling, according to police.
The suspects then opened fire. The man was shot three times in the head – once in his temple.
He was taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in critical condition.
The victim's family members - who did not want to be on camera because they fear for their safety – said the shooting happened while he was waiting for the school bus with his dad and his 15-year-old younger brother – who also has disabilities.
Police said the group of people who came up to them assumed they were in a rival gang.
CBS 2 was told by a loved one that the victim denied he was in a gang at all.
But that didn't matter. They still shot him.
They then ran north from the scene, police said.
Ald. Ray Lopez (18th) said on Twitter that the victim gets on the bus every day at the site where he was shot.
"He didn't deserve this," Lopez said. "We don't need any bull--- excuses for gang behavior. This is learned behavior. It is generational. And everyone that enables it is a f---ing criminal."
Police confirmed the family has no gang affiliation – and claim they are aware of the ongoing gang conflict in the area. We asked them if they have any persons of interest in custody.
"We have an increased focus over there - we have for many years. There's a historic conflict going on over there," said Deering (9th) District police Cmdr. Don Jerome. "The 9th District is very proactive and very familiar with this gang and with this area conflict."
Police would not say if they were looking into any specific known gang members – but did say they were working off multiple neighbors' tips.
"Our information indicates it's likely the same gang – just not sure if it's the same actual gang members at this time," Jerome said.
Police think this attack was related to another shooting Wednesday. The second shooting happened a few hours later in the 4300 block of South Wood Street.
No one was injured there.
rea One detectives are investigating. Police are working with multiple tips from neighbors, but are asking anyone with more information to come forward.
