In what would ultimately amount to at least 11 deaths and 70 people wounded over the weekend of August 2, 2018, former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and city police are still trying to figure out what sparked a deadly weekend of gun violence.
Speaking at a press conference, Emanuel said that while gangs are responsible, the motive or motives are unclear. “We have a heavy heart and we will get justice,” the mayor said Monday, August 6.
It's no surprise that gun violence is up during the summer months. Warmer weather, outdoor events, and an increase in gun flow all account for the increase. After being arrested, most offenders get light sentences or a slap on the wrist, even if they have previous gun convictions. “This has no place in the city,” former Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said. “We need to hold people accountable and slow the flow of illegal guns into the city.”
Much of the weekend violence was attributed to the city's many gangs. The shootings mostly occurred on the city's south and west sides, which is home to many blue collar and underprivileged neighborhoods. With little formal opportunity to break the cycle of poverty, many of the city's young residents see gang membership as the only way out.
Trump's current attorney, Rudy Giuliani, said on Twitter on August 6, that “Chicago murders are a direct result of one party Democratic rule for decades.” He also praised former Chicago Police Superintendent Gary McCarthy for being a “policing genius,” saying he could do for Chicago “what I did for New York City.” Giuliani also credited McCarthy for being an “architect” of NYPD's CompStat program. The program helps to track crime, allowing police to better allocate resources to high-crime areas.
McCarthy was fired by Emanuel in 2015 after a backlash over his handling of the shooting death of black teenager Laquan McDonald at the hands of white police officers. The teen was shot more than 12 times after pulling a weapon from his pants.
Giuliani continued his endorsement of McCarthy by saying “It's only because of Democratic brain washing that Emanuel even has a chance of remaining. Support police professional Gary McCarthy.”
Former Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has also called on former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, a Republican, to sign legislation that makes it harder for habitual armed offenders to obtain weapons. “We need everyone to come to the table with less talk and more action.”
Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel also added that there is still much work to be done in Chicago's neighborhoods. “All of us know this is not the Chicago we saw, all of us who love this city and call it home have a responsibility to heal our neighborhoods. There is a shortage of values about what is right and what is wrong.” Emanuel noted that the issue of gun violence is not solved by pointing one finger at one person.
Anti-violence protests continue in Chicago where protestors have shut down highways to voice their outrage. They may try and shut down O'Hare International Airport as well in an attempt to
make their voices heard. Rev. Michael Pfleger, one of Chicago's most outspoken anti-gun violence activists, told CBS Chicago that the bloody weekend is outrageous and uncalled for. “It is a state of emergency in our city.”
Former Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said that while police have worked on removing illegal guns from the streets, seizing over 5600 weapons this year 60 more over the bloody weekend, there is still a lot to be done. “While investigators have several good leads, so far no arrests have been made. I urge anyone with any information to come forward.” This may not happen since many residents fear retaliation by gang members.
Two shootings were reported in the Lawndale neighborhood. In one shooting, two gunmen exited a vehicle and shot four people at a party before fleeing the crime scene. According to WLS-TV, all four victims were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition. In the other incident, two gunmen approached a group of people and opened fire, the Chicago Tribune reported. A 17-year-old girl was shot in the face and died at the scene. Five other victims were rushed to the hospital.
In the Gresham community, eight were wounded when several gunmen opened fire outside of a building on West 76th street according to Chicago Police. Five female victims and three male victims were all taken to the hospital and listed in stable condition. The victims suffered gunshot wounds to the legs, buttocks, hands, and a graze wound to the head. No suspects were arrested.
The widespread gun violence has drawn the attention of President Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. Both have blamed the continued violence on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's longtime “Democratic rule.”
The former mayor of New York City endorsed mayoral candidate and former Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy. McCarthy was fired by Emanuel in 2015 after dashcam video footage showed a white police officer shoot a black teenager, Laquan McDonald not just once, but 16 times.
Misspelling Emanuel's last name, Giuliani tweeted that McCarthy can do a whole lot better than Emanuel who sits and fiddles while Chicago burns.
No comments:
Post a Comment