A 16-year-old Chicago boy was shot several times Wednesday afternoon just blocks away from where police were revealing their latest plan to combat an uptick in summer violence.
The teen was shot just after 12:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of East 71st Street in the city’s South Shore neighborhood after someone exited a van in the area and opened fire. The boy suffered graze wounds to the stomach, buttocks and head and was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in stable condition.
Around the same time, roughly half-a-mile away, police were holding a news conference to unveil their new “summer mobile patrol,” in response to the anticipated uptick in summer violence.
“This special unit will have the ability to move their deployments based upon emerging conditions, crime trends or special events,” said Supt. Eddie Johnson.
Beginning later this month and continuing at least through Labor Day, Chicago police say a group of more than 100 officers will patrol busy areas on bikes, ATVs, Segways, horses and on foot.
“This summer patrol unit will be able to be deployed anywhere in city,” Johnson said.
