Teens Ran to Bus When Shots Were Fired

Five people wounded in a Friday afternoon shooting on a South Side street sought shelter on a Chicago Transit Authority bus.

The shootings took place near the intersection of East 79th Street and South Jeffery Boulevard about 3:30 p.m.

Police said a man approached the group and shooting before getting away in a mini-van. The shooting left at least two people in critical condition, said police spokesman Veejay Zala.

CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said preliminary reports indictated the victims boarded a westbound 79th Street bus seeking shelter from the shooter.

She said the shots were fired from outside the bus, and the victims were not on the bus when they were hit.

Among those wounded were:

• A 16-year-old boy who suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. Paramedics took the boy to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was in critical condition.
• A 19-year-old woman who was shot in the right side and back. She was taken in critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
• A 17-year-old boy who suffered a graze wound to the thigh. He was taken to South Shore Hospital.
• A 17-year-old boy who suffered a graze wound to the stomach. Paramedics took the boy to South Shore Hospital.
• A 20-year-old man who had a graze wound to one of his hands. He took himself to South Shore Hospital.

Zala said officers found the mini-van and a gun not far from the scene of the shooting, which appears to be gang-related.

The CTA rerouted 79th Street buses while police investigated.

Area South detectives are investigating, but no on was in custody as of Friday evening.

Police say this SUV was involved in the Friday afternoon shooting near East 79th Street and South Jeffery Boulevard that injured five people.

Copyright SunTimes / NBC Chicago

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