West Garfield Park, Chicago — A 25-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman were both fatally shot Wednesday afternoon in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood, according to police.
What Happened
Police say the shooting unfolded shortly before noon in the 200 block of South Pulaski Road. A 25-year-old man was standing on a building’s front porch when two men got out of a car and opened fire. The man ran, but the gunmen chased him for several blocks, continuing to shoot as he fled.
He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A short distance away, in the 300 block of South Pulaski Road, officers found a 64-year-old woman unresponsive with a gunshot wound to her chest. Family identified her as Joann Perry. She was also taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead.
Police sources said Perry was an innocent bystander who happened to cross paths with the fleeing man as the gunfire continued. Investigators believe the younger man was the intended target.
The two shooters fled south on Pulaski Road in a black car. As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests had been made, and Harrison Area detectives were continuing to investigate.
Community Reaction
The shooting, which took place in broad daylight on a busy street, shook nearby residents and business owners.
Nakeisha Williams, who owns two businesses on Pulaski Road near the scene, said the violence feels increasingly close to home and worried about the safety of herself and her children, who pass by the businesses throughout the day.
Rev. Robin Hood of Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church on the West Side called for accountability, saying anyone with knowledge of the shooters should come forward. He pointed to another fatal shooting of a woman days earlier on the West Side as part of a troubling pattern of violence.
Ald. Jason Ervin, who represents the 28th Ward, said he was outraged by the killings and called for those responsible to be identified and held accountable.
Investigation Ongoing
Police have not released descriptions of the suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact Chicago Police Department’s Harrison Area detectives.