Westside shooting victim: ‘It’s unbelievable that this happened’

CHICAGO – A large gathering to honor a lost family member turned into chaos On Halloween night, a shooting rang out on Chicago’s West Sidefourteen people were injured, including two children and a teenager.

“We all got together and talked and the shooting started,” said the shooting victim, who did not want to give her full name. “For that to happen is unbelievable.”

Speaking exclusively to WGN News from her hospital bed at Loyola University Medical Center, the woman was one of 14 people at the corner of South California Avenue and West Polk Street around 9:30 p.m. Monday when at least two people opened fire on the man, who was passing by. SUV.

“I know everyone who was shot and I’m related to most of them,” the woman, who was shot twice in the leg and once in the ankle, told WGN News. “My aunt, my cousins ​​and others are friends that I grew up around, so we’re all family.”

The victim said that on October 31, she organized a vigil for her cousin, who died a few days before of natural causes at the age of 38.

“I released a balloon to remember her,” said the victim. “The family can come together and talk about the good things we shared with her.”

But as the crowd gathered to pay their respects, tragedy struck.

“We hear gunshots,” the woman said. “It was a bunch of women and children. A couple of people all over the neighborhood. That’s when the shooting rang out. There was a lot of shooting.”

Three children aged three, 11 and 13 were among the 14 shooting victims. The youngest shooting victim suffered a gunshot wound to both legs.

“They are doing well,” she said. “One has been discharged from the hospital. The other two are still in the hospital. One just came out of surgery. It was a success.”

The victim said the 15th person injured in the shooting was a cousin who was hit by a car as he tried to get to safety.

Family and friends are now wondering how to physically and emotionally recover from the horrific injuries, wondering if anywhere is safe or sacred.

“You want to ask why, but that’s not even enough to ask why?” – said the victim. “It’s just sad. It’s just sad.”