CHICAGO — A total of 39 people were arrested and six guns were seized during and after Sunday’s Pride Parade in Lakeview, as street gatherings continued into the early hours of Monday morning, Chicago Police confirmed.
13 individuals were charged with felonies, including two juveniles, and one man was found carrying two firearms. The overall arrest count is down from 2024’s 53 arrests but remains higher than totals from 2016 through 2023.
Parade Shortened, But Post-Event Chaos Remains
This year’s parade started an hour earlier than usual and featured a shortened route, with the aim of reducing disruptions later in the day. The celebration wrapped in just over two hours — significantly faster than last year’s five-hour event.
But despite these efforts, large crowds returned to Halsted Street and Belmont Avenue post-parade. Police had to respond to numerous incidents involving weapon possession, battery of officers, and general disorder.
Guns Seized, Felony Charges Filed
Among those charged in connection with illegal firearms:
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A 16-year-old boy was arrested with a machine gun and extended magazine.
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Corey Jackson, 23, allegedly carried a 9mm handgun and told police it belonged to his girlfriend, who couldn’t fit it in her parade outfit.
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Jakauri Muhammad, 18, reportedly had two loaded guns with extended magazines in his backpack. He told police they were gifts from his uncle.
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Arron Wilson, 18, allegedly assaulted an officer and had a stolen handgun in his possession. He’s currently detained pending trial.
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Akira Moore, 19, and Tyquon Evans, 18, also face gun charges. Evans is additionally charged with having a laser sight and high-capacity magazine.
Officers Attacked Amid Crowd Control Efforts
At least eight others were charged with felony battery or resisting officers:
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Kamauri Clayton, 21, reportedly punched and spat on a sergeant.
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Latoya Howell, 44, is accused of repeatedly hitting an officer in the face.
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Breahana Kirk, 30, allegedly struck a cop while resisting efforts to clear Belmont Avenue.
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Alliyah Lucas, 21, is charged with throwing an alcoholic drink at multiple officers.
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Maleyah Williams, 18, reportedly splashed tequila on an officer and resisted arrest.
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Jessie Lee, 28, faces several charges including obstruction and disorderly conduct.
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A 17-year-old was also charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer.
In total, 13 felony charges, 21 misdemeanors, and five gun recoveries were reported. Four cases are still under review.
Ongoing CPD Strategy for Parade Policing
The CPD’s efforts to minimize parade-related violence included deploying extra officers and reducing the parade’s runtime. While these steps appear to have reduced overall incidents, street parties and confrontations continue to challenge police.
Authorities say the post-parade “chaos window” in Lakeview remains a persistent issue — especially near Belmont and Halsted.
Did you witness any incidents near this year’s Pride Parade? Share your experiences and photos with ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — your stories help us keep our community informed.
