Organizations across Chicago are offering counseling and other assistance to victims of gun violence following a deadly weekend shooting in Washington Park, while police continue asking the public for information that could help identify those responsible.
People were waiting outside Tuesday when Acclivus, a community health and violence-prevention organization, opened a victims and crisis resource event at 5401 S. Wentworth Ave.
The event offered free crisis counseling, clinical therapy, assistance with funeral and burial expenses, financial resources and other support to people affected by shootings in Washington Park and the Douglas neighborhood.
Among the first to arrive were Linda and members of her family.
“We need counseling because we all are affected by this dearly,” Linda, who asked that her last name not be used, told NBC Chicago.
Linda’s nephew, Antonio Hollis Jr., was killed in a separate shooting near 37th Street and Michigan Avenue on Sunday. The day before, he had attended a reunion near 54th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, where police said a mass shooting left one person dead and 14 others injured.
Linda said her niece and another nephew were wounded in the Washington Park shooting.
“My little nephew, he had three surgeries,” she said. “One of the bullets pierced his liver, so he’s doing better than what he was. But he has a long recovery ahead of him.”
Her niece suffered extensive injuries to her hand, Linda said.
“The bullet hit her hand. It broke all the bones in her hand,” she said.
Linda described the reunion as a celebration that brought together former residents of the Stateway Gardens public housing development. She said relatives and friends had been embracing and sharing memories before gunfire shattered the gathering.
Chicago police said the Washington Park investigation remains ongoing. No arrests had been announced as of Tuesday.
Investigators are reviewing video and attempting to track vehicles connected to the shooting, according to Interim Chicago Police Superintendent Fred Waller. Police are examining footage from public and private cameras and believe the number of rounds recovered could indicate that more than one person opened fire.
Waller said investigators believe the shooting was targeted and are also examining evidence of possible return gunfire from within the crowd.
Police are urging witnesses and anyone with video or other information to come forward.
“We ask anyone with information that may assist in this investigation to submit an anonymous tip to CPDTip.com,” Waller said.
Ald. Jeanette Taylor, whose 20th Ward includes Washington Park, said strengthening trust between residents and police will be critical to solving the case.
“People have to learn this system and be able to step up and say, ‘Hey, I saw what happened. I know this happened,’” Taylor said. “That is trust, and that is trust we’re starting to build.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Taylor, Waller and other city leaders Tuesday to discuss the investigation, the city’s response to the weekend violence and preparations for the Labor Day weekend.
Johnson said the city’s response must include immediate support for victims and their families, along with longer-term efforts to prevent retaliatory violence and address the conditions that allow violence to continue.
The city will open an emergency assistance center from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Washington Park Fieldhouse, located at 5531 S. Martin Luther King Drive.
The center will offer mental health and crisis support, assistance applying for crime-victim compensation, help with financial needs and youth programming. Crime victims will also be able to speak with detectives.
The services are free, and a police report is not required. Although the center is opening in response to the Washington Park shooting, assistance will be available to anyone affected by crime or violence, regardless of when or where it happened.
Anyone with questions about the emergency assistance center can contact the Chicago Police Department’s Office of Victim Services at 312-745-6340.
Anonymous information about the shooting can be submitted at CPDTip.com.
Hence then, the article about police seek public s help after deadly washington park mass shooting was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Police seek public's help after deadly Washington Park mass shooting )
Also on site :
- Longtime ‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton suspended after alleged airline incident
- Wheel Of Fortune Announcer Suspended After Alleged Incident; Role Will Be Recast During Investigation
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer Jim Thornton Suspended By Sony Pictures Television Studios