Teen mob ‘overruns’ Chi cops
A massive mob of rowdy teenagers clashed with cops near downtown Chicago’s Millennium Park on Saturday night, leaving two teens wounded and at least one bystander beaten.
The mob erupted in violence — trashing property, smashing windshields and torching cars while attacking at least one motorist — forcing cops to escort tourists to safety, Fox 32 Chicago reported Sunday.
Chicago police said two teens — ages 16 and 17 — were wounded by a gunman in the crowd, the station reported.
The violence came a day after a 14-year-old boy was shot during another outburst of teen violence at 31st Avenue Beach in Chicago.
Police reported one arrest in that incident.
On Saturday, hundreds — possibly thousands — of teenagers massed in the Chicago Loop at around 9 p.m. after social-media posts called for a meetup near Millennium Park, reports said.
“Last night CPD monitored activity happening across the city and officers were in place to quickly respond to active incidents and large gatherings,” police said.
Many youngsters tried to get into the park but were turned away at checkpoints that barred anyone under 21 not accompanied by an adult.
“It’s heartbreaking,” one witness said. “Kids fighting, chasing each other. Some of them got guns. It’s really heartbreaking when one of them actually gets hurt, and that’s unfortunate.”
“It was a lot of cops here but they were still outnumbered,” the witness said. “There were so many teenagers that showed up, and they tried to keep the peace and keep them under control.”
One woman whose car was damaged by the mob reported her husband was beaten while sitting in the passenger seat, and was taken to a local hospital.
The two teens shot in the melee were also taken to the hospital, and were in fair condition Sunday evening.