Chicago crime: 5 wounded in terrifying shootout in Fulton River District
CHICAGO - Five people were shot in West Town on Wednesday, police said.
The shooting happened about 4:54 p.m. and spanned two-blocks of Milwaukee Avenue from Hubbard to Grand Street, Chicago fire officials said.
According to preliminary information, two unknown vehicles were driving on the street in the 800 block of North Milwaukee when an occupant inside one of the vehicles began firing shots towards the second vehicle, police said.
There were five total gunshot wound victims.
Four of the five people who were shot were unintended targets, police said in a news conference Wednesday night.
A 25-year-old man was shot in the buttocks and is listed in good condition.
A 27-year-old man was shot in the arm, and is also listed in good condition, police said.
A 29-year-old man was shot in the back and is listed in critical condition.
A 30-year-old woman suffered a graze wound to the leg and is listed in good condition.
A 48-year-old man was shot in the leg and is listed in good condition.
Crystal Wilson, a ride-share driver, said a passenger in her blue Kia was shot as the gunmen sped through an intersection.
"I thought the noise was like some random fireworks. And then he said, ‘No, I’ve been shot,’" Wilson said. "These guys were hanging out in the window shooting. I was trying to focus on not hitting someone else’s car and… make sure my passenger was OK."
Wilson stopped and dialed 9-1-1 as another woman came over to help.
"I’ve got a headache, I’m a little shocked," Wilson said as she waited for officers to inspect her car. "I live in Indiana so I don’t want to just leave my car."
Dancello Bennett and Harry McGraw were on their way to grab a bite to eat when they heard the gunfire. McGraw dropped to the ground while Bennett tried to run inside a building.
"We literally have an office down the street. Just grabbing lunch and [then] it’s like an all-out gun war, like shooting down the streets," Bennett said. "It’s wild."
McGraw said it looked like a gunman from an SUV was shooting at a car in front of them. He thought he heard 20 to 30 gunshots in 10 seconds.
"It was just unbelievable to know that these guys are willing to risk it all in the midst of everybody else, just reckless driving, reckless shooting," McGraw said. "So we need to pray for Chicago, we need better for Chicago."
Police said there are no offenders in custody at this time.
Area Three detectives continue to investigate.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report