A
man gunned down Thursday on Chicago's west side marked what police say
is the city's 500th homicide of the year. It's a dubious distinction
that hasn't occurred since 2008, when the city ended the year with 512
murders.
Police are releasing few details about
the shooting that happened around 9 p.m. in the 4900 block of West
Augusta. The man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died.
At
a peace dinner held Thursday, residents came together to talk about
ways to end violence. Alderman Anthony Beale, who is running for Jesse
Jackson Jr.'s old 2nd Congressional District seat, said Police
Superintendent Garry McCarthy needs to change strategies. "His philosophy is not working," Beale said. "We need
to put resources where the problems are, and then you will see crime
drop across the city."
Chicago surpassed 2011's 435 murder total in October
Police
said Chicago's 499th homicide victim was a man who died after he was
shot at least four times – including in the face and chest – in a Gage
Park neighborhood alley Wednesday night on the Southwest Side.
Frederico
Martinez, of the 5400 block of South California Avenue, died from
gunshot wounds he suffered near his home, according to the Cook County
Medical Examiner’s office.
Police said the
32-year-old Martinez was standing with a female in an alleyway down the
block from his home when a light-colored pick-up truck approached and
somebody inside opened fire.
Martinez was shot in the face, chest and both arms and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died, authorities said.
Behind the troubling statistics, flashing lights and crime tape, communities throughout the city are searching for solutions.
"There's
no magic spell that can end it. It's a matter of people and
neighborhoods coming together and deciding that it's not going to
happen," said neighbor Robert Grider.
Larry
Pickens, who is running in the special election in the 2nd Congressional
seat, offered a few suggestions Thursday: "Teaching our young people
alternative dispute resolution, non-violent strategies for addressing
conflict and getting guns off the street."
Very informative article ..Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteGREAT ARTICLE
ReplyDelete