Boy Going to Football Practice, Man Critically Wounded in Shooting

Deonta Brown was on his way back to school for football practice when he and another man were shot

A teenaged boy on his way back to school for football practice was critically wounded, along with another man, in a Friday afternoon shooting in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood.

The pair were struck by bullets in the 7700 block of South Kingston Avenue at around 3:45 p.m., said police spokesman Daniel O'Brien.

The teen, Deonta Brown, is an 8th grade student at nearby Myra Bradwell Communication Arts and Sciences Academy.

One of Brown's football coaches said he was alerted to the shooting from other students. Coach Capricio Wilson said the boy left school after dismissal and went home to get his football uniform when he was shot.

Wilson said he doesn't believe Brown was the intended target.

"He's a good kid [with] a big heart [and a] big voice. He's your typical, I would say 14-year-old student who just wants to be heard. I don't have anything bad to say about him. This is just unfortunate," he said.

Brown was taken in critical condition to University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, said fire department spokesman Kevin MacGregor.

Another man, believed to be in his 30s, was taken in critical condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

"This whole neighborhood is bad, I'm sorry to say it. This whole neighborhood is ridiculous. It's pitiful. It's pitiful over here. I just can't afford to move, that's all. That's the only reason I'm over here," said one woman, who preferred to not be identified.

The woman said she was down the street and around the corner when she heard six or seven shots ring out.

Calumet Area detectives are investigating.

Deonta Brown
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