CHICAGO — After a weekend shooting that left four teenagers wounded in West Garfield Park, a coalition of faith leaders, community organizers, and violence prevention advocates is calling for urgent action to support young people on Chicago’s West Side.
Shooting Leaves Four Teens Wounded
Around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, a gunman opened fire into a crowd after an argument in the 700 block of South Springfield Avenue, according to police. The shooter allegedly targeted the group as part of a retaliatory act following a dispute between two teenagers earlier that day.
The victims included:
- A 14-year-old boy, shot in the chest
- A 13-year-old boy, shot in the leg
- A 15-year-old girl, shot in the thigh
- A 16-year-old girl, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds
All four teens survived, but the emotional toll on the families and neighborhood remains heavy, according to coverage by CBS News Chicago .
Community Leaders Demand Investment in Youth
On Thursday, a coalition of local organizations came together in response to the shooting. Pastor Floyd James of Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church pointed to the lack of employment and positive engagement opportunities for youth as a root cause of violence.
“Our young people are busy not being engaged in a positive manner because they don’t have employment,” James said.
Jaylen Franks, 17, a youth advocate from the Chicago Positive Youth Development group, echoed the urgency of action: “We really got to come together as a whole, for real.”
Calls for Unified Action Across Institutions
Illinois State Sen. Lakesia Collins stood alongside violence interruption groups and clergy, stressing the importance of a unified front: “How can we together — as a church, violence interrupters, and elected officials — come together and ensure that everybody feels safe?”
The Rev. Robin Hood, founder of Mothers Opposed to Violence Everywhere, organized the meeting after witnessing the trauma firsthand. “I went down there. I heard the gunshots,” he said. “Seeing kids and senior citizens in fear—it’s traumatizing.”
Support Services for Families and Retaliation Prevention
The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is currently supporting the victims and their families. Les Jenkins, associate director of the group, explained that their role extends beyond medical assistance to include therapy and long-term behavioral care.
“Services could be anywhere from helping them realize a new reality to the services that we may offer,” Jenkins said. This includes family therapy, youth programs, and interventions designed to prevent further violence.
Townhall Meeting Planned for Long-Term Solutions
A townhall is scheduled for next month to bring all stakeholders together. Topics will include job creation, resource allocation, and sustainable strategies to reduce youth violence in Chicago’s West Side communities.
Do you think more jobs and community programs can help curb youth violence in your neighborhood? Join the conversation now at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
