At that moment, gunfire rushed crowds scrambling for cover as Chicago’s popular beach closed for Memorial Day weekend just hours after it opened
- Crowds took shelter on North Avenue Beach on Friday when gunfire rang out after a brawl between 80 and 100 teenagers
- A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with firearms and property damage
- No one was hit by the bullets and the gun has not yet been recovered
A Chicago beach was closed just hours after it opened for Memorial Day weekend after gunfire rang out during a large brawl.
The shooting came after officials announced they were deploying “peacekeeping forces” across the city to stem the holiday chaos after nine people were killed and 52 others shot dead last year.
Crowds took shelter on North Avenue Beach on Friday when gunfire rang out after a scuffle between a group of 80 to 100 teenagers.
During the 1:30 p.m. riot, one person pulled out a gun and fired it. Hundreds of beachgoers ran away screaming.
No one was hit by the bullets and no injuries were reported.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm with firearms and criminal damage to property valued at $500 to $10,000.
A Chicago beach was closed just hours after it opened for Memorial Day weekend after gunfire rang out during a large brawl
Crowds took shelter on North Avenue Beach on Friday when gunfire rang out after a scuffle between a group of 80 to 100 teenagers
During the 1:30 p.m. riot, one person pulled out a gun and fired it. Hundreds of beachgoers ran away screaming
But the weapon was not recovered and is said to have been thrown away somewhere.
The incident was caught on camera and shows a group of teenagers lining up while pointing and shouting.
Then someone pulls a gun and fires a shot that sends everyone fleeing.
People can be heard screaming on the beach fleeing the gunfire and a car can be seen driving away at high speed.
By the time police arrived at the scene, the group of teenagers had dispersed, but a 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident.
A truck in Chicago’s Park District was hit by a bullet and the windows shattered.
John Muldoon was walking near the beach at the time, telling ABC Chicago, “We came by and then we saw this truck here, and it looks like gunshots were coming out of the windows, and we think that’s creepy.”
And Dan Short, who was on the beach, said, “There was just a lot of police.” I saw at least three people handcuffed and couldn’t make out exactly what happened or what caused it, but it did obviously looked like there was some sort of argument going on.”
After the shooting, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said, “I am aware of the events that took place at North Avenue Beach this afternoon.”
“I am in contact with our first responders and continue to closely monitor and monitor the situation as details develop.”
A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm with firearms and criminal damage to property valued at $500 to $10,000
No one was hit by the bullets and the gun has not yet been recovered
The shooting happened hours after Chicago opened its 22 beaches along Lake Michigan to the public ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
The Windy City experienced its most violent bank holiday weekend in five years in 2022, when nine people were killed and 52 others shot dead.
To prevent the Memorial Day chaos, officials dispatch “peacekeepers” across Chicago.
Gov. JB Pritzker announced Thursday the establishment of the citywide Crisis Prevention and Response Unit, which will work with community-based organizations to deploy over 30 trained neighborhood “peacekeepers.”
It has been described as a highly mobile team specifically designed to prevent violence and manage conflict and crisis in the city of Chicago by providing essential assistance in de-escalation, conflict resolution and crisis support.
has reached out to the Chicago Police Department for comment.