1 dead, 3 injured after apparent argument leads to shooting on South Side; family identifies man killed
CHICAGO — Simon Brown’s daughter says her father was on his way to buy a lottery ticket Monday evening when he got caught in a crossfire that ended his life.
Brown, 59, was killed and three others, including a suspect, were injured after an apparent argument led to a shooting on the city’s South Side. Brown’s identity has been confirmed by his family.
According to the Chicago Police Department, officers received a ShotSpotter gunshot detection alert just before 5:45 p.m. Monday for a report of multiple shots fired in the area of South State and 71st streets.
Police said it’s believed that a dispute between two armed suspects led to a shootout on the sidewalk near several businesses. When officers arrived on scene, they found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
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Authorities said those two victims, Brown and a 49-year-old man, were both believed to have been innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Police said Brown was shot in the stomach and left hand and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The 49-year-old man, who was standing at a nearby ATM, was shot in the head and taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
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According to CPD, another victim, a 50-year-old man who was reportedly shot in the leg at some point during the initial incident, was dropped off at an area hospital, where he was said to be in good condition.
At least one business also sustained damage from gunfire to its front windows.
Authorities on the scene said officers quickly located the suspect, a 54-year-old man, near 71st Street and Wabash Avenue and took him into custody.
Police said the suspect suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and hand and was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was reportedly in critical condition. Police also confirmed a gun was recovered from the suspect when officers found him.
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Authorities said the second suspect, who allegedly exchanged fire with the suspect taken into custody, had not been identified or taken into custody. He reportedly took off from the scene after the shooting.
“Obviously, this is a tragic incident, but a lot of good folks live out here,” CPD Area One Deputy Chief Don Jerome said. “We believe it’s an isolated incident, and in this case, fortunately, we at least have one offender in custody. And we’ll work hard to bring the second offender into custody, as well.”
An investigation by CPD Area One detectives is ongoing.
Authorities held a press conference about the shooting on Monday evening. The full press conference can be viewed in the video player above.
Monday’s shooting is the latest in a rash of violence in the city that has left five dead and seven others injured in two days over Sunday and Monday.
At Monday night’s shooting scene, John T. Boston II, senior pastor with Chicago Shiloh Seventh-Day Adventist Church, spoke with WGN News. He was in the area after the shooting occurred and called what happened unacceptable.
“This is catastrophic, because we’re losing life. And we’re losing not just life, but a way of life,” Boston said. “In our community, it’s draining, it’s exhausting. People want to give up. We have to find a way to navigate this together so we can pursue the future that’s for us.”
Boston said the ward’s alderman immediately reached out following Monday’s shooting. Boston told WGN News he plans to work with the alderman to coordinate a prayer vigil on Friday.
“I express my deepest condolences, and I assure you our heart is not just to send you well-wishes, it’s to find a way to make sure this never happens to another family,” Boston said.
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