Funeral Procession Interrupted by Gunfire

The West Side funeral of a self-admitted gang member was interrupted by gunfire Saturday morning, leaving six people critically wounded.

A group of mourners were gathered outside an Austin neighborhood storefront church, at 5301 W. Madison St., for a wake or funeral, according to police News Affairs Officer Kevin Kilmer. The Gospel Truth Life Changing Ministries is listed at that address.

A gunman approached thr group on foot just before noon and shot six people in an attack Kilmer said was “definitely gang related.”

He "walked up to the intended target within the group of mourners and shot multiple times," Kilmer said. "The offender then fired at the crowd as he fled the scene."

Police said five people were hospitalized in critical condition and one person is in "guarded" condition.

Fire Media Affairs spokesman initially said four people were hospitalized at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Mount Sinai Hospital and John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. All the victims were described as "young adults."

A woman was also taken to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park with chest pains, Curtis said. Kilmer said the woman was not shot.

Kilmer said most witnesses are not cooperating and a description of the shooter was not immediately available.