Halloween mass shooting, victims include several children, including a 3-year-old

A drive-by shooting on Halloween night on Chicago’s West Side injured at least 14 people, including three minors, according to Chicago police chief David Brown.

Victims’ conditions range from critical to non-life-threatening. It is not known whether any fatalities have occurred at this time.

In a statement late Monday night, Brown said the youngest victim was just three years old. In addition, two teenagers, ages 11 and 13, were shot. The remaining victims are adults, according to Brown. Police reported that a vehicle struck one person as well.

The victims were taken to hospitals such as Stroger, Loyola, Northwestern, and Mount Sinai by ambulance.

Brown said the shooting took place in less than three seconds, caught by area pod surveillance.

The details are scarce, but Brown said a group was standing near South California Avenue and West Polk Street for a vigil balloon release when a car drove up and someone inside opened fire.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears that two shooters were inside the vehicle.

There is no hint of a motive. It was not clear whether the incident was the result of retaliation or gang activity, according to police.

“They are just young,” community activist Andrew Holmes said of the children who were shot. “They’re putting on an outfit just to enjoy the evening, and then you got a clown that goes and discharges that weapon, bringing great bodily harm to these families.”

In the aftermath of the shooting, he will work with other organizations to provide trauma counseling to victims’ families.

The CPD is searching the area for evidence and asking anyone who may have information to call 311 or submit an anonymous tip on cpdtip.com.

A reward of up to $15,000 is being offered by the police for information leading to the arrest of the possible offender(s).