Shooter Wounds 14 People After Opening Fire at a Chicago Funeral Home

By Dani O. Jul 22 2020, 02:48 AM EDT

At Least 14 Wounded In Shooting Outside Chicago Funeral Home — Scott Olson/Getty Images

A funeral in Chicago's Gresham neighborhood suddenly resembled a warzone after a shooter opened fire. At least 14 people were wounded following the incident on Tuesday evening.

First Deputy Superintendent Eric Carter said the shooter was inside a black vehicle. The unidentified suspect opened fire at the funeral-goers. Some who attended the funeral fired back, causing the car to crash midway down the block.

Chicago authorities said at least 14 adults were rushed to five different hospitals following the incident. Their conditions are currently unknown. Police said it was still unclear whether all the victims were attending the funeral, The New York Times reported.

Larry Langford, the spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department, said they rushed 11 victims to nearby hospitals. Three victims were transported to other medical facilities by other funeral attendees. It is believed that several are in severe or critical condition.

According to authorities, the shooting at the 1000 block of West 79th Street occurred just before 6:30 p.m. Shortly after the incident, the police took a person of interest into custody.

The funeral was allegedly being held for a man who died after he was shot last week along a street.

At least 11 shot in Auburn Gresham neighborhood says Chicago Fire Dept. Neighbors tell us it sounded and looked like a war zone with victims wounded on the ground after leaving a funeral near 79th & Morgan. @nbcchicago pic.twitter.com/Mg6CfUEfKk — Patrick Fazio (@PatrickFazio) July 22, 2020

Witnesses' Accounts

Residents in the area said they heard gunshots before victims rushed out of the funeral home. Arnita Geder, one of the witnesses, said she saw bodies laying everywhere. "We thought it was a war out here," as reported by NBC Chicago.

Kenneth Hughes, another witness, said they saw a car that was riddled with bullet holes. The vehicle was turned down on the grass beside a hat that he claimed to belong to the shooter.

Both Hughes and Geder said all the victims were wearing white. They also claimed that the shooting appeared to be planned after the suspect opened fire when the funeral-goers were coming out.

Chicago police said they found over 60 shell casings at the shooting. They have yet to release a motive for the crime.

They are also urging anyone who knows something about the incident to contact the police department.

Chicago Violence

Over the weekend, Chicago has seen at least 63 people shot, with 12 of the victims dying from the wounds.

On Sunday, two people were killed following a shooting in the Morgan Park neighborhood. In a report by ABC Chicago, police said a group gathered at South Carpenter around midnight, when someone opened fire.

The unidentified suspect shot a 26-year-old man and a 41-year-old man in the head. They were pronounced dead at the hospital. Another 26-year-old man was also hit in the head. He was rushed to the Advocate Christ Hospital and is currently in critical condition.

The shooting also wounded three other victims, including a 37-year-old man who was shot in the leg. He received medical attention at Roseland Hospital and was said to be in good condition.

The fifth victim, 48, was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center. He is now in a stable condition.