Police in Chicago reported that more than 100 people were shot over Father’s Day weekend, including 14 who were killed.
A total of 102 people were shot from Friday night to Monday morning, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. It was the highest number of shooting victims over one weekend in 2020.
“Good men throughout this city should be celebrating with their families on a beautiful day, but instead, a number of Chicagoans will be spending Father’s Day grieving the loss of their children,” police superintendent David Brown said on Sunday.
Among those fatally shot were five children, including a 3-year-old.
The toddler, identified as Mekay James, was struck by a bullet in the back when a gunman opened fire on Mekay’s father while he was driving on Saturday night, Chicago police said. A bullet also struck his father, who is believed to be the shooter’s target, but he survived.
The death has sparked community leaders to offer a $10,000 reward for information on the killer.
Religious leaders, supporters and members of the community gather in the 600 block of North Central Avenue to denounce the weekend’s overnight violence, including the death of 3-year-old Mekay James who was shot and killed the previous day. pic.twitter.com/lYuzrAnxEn
— armando l sanchez (@mandophotos) June 21, 2020
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot also expressed sympathy for Mekay’s death on Twitter.
A 3-year-old boy who had his whole life ahead of him.
To the despicable individuals responsible for this senseless act of violence, you have no place in this city, no home in our communities, no shelter to hide.
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) June 21, 2020
“Bullets don’t just tear apart the things they strike,” Brown said. “Bullets also tear apart families. Bullets destroy neighborhoods, and they ruin any sense of safety in a community.”
The violence comes as the city experienced an increase in shootings this year, as well as the destruction of property and violence during riots stemming from protests in response to the death of George Floyd while he was in police custody.
Shootings increased by 71% in May in Chicago compared with the year before, with 409 people shot. Murders were up 60%, with 85 reported.
