CHICAGO — After seven teens were shot just feet from his Auburn Gresham church, Father Michael Pfleger is demanding urgent change—calling out parents, youth behavior on social media, and gun violence in the city.
The shooting occurred overnight on Saturday along West 78th Place, near St. Sabina Church, where more than 300 people had reportedly gathered earlier for a prom send-off.
“And then somebody in the crowd started shooting back,” said Father Pfleger, recounting how four men arrived in a Jeep and opened fire.
Victims and Investigation Update
- All seven victims are teenagers, aged 17 to 19.
- Six are reported to be in fair condition; one is in serious condition.
- None of the victims are from Auburn Gresham—five reportedly live in the south suburbs.
- As of now, no suspects are in custody.
Chicago Police were already attempting to disperse the crowd when the shooting began. Pfleger turned over church surveillance footage to authorities and is working closely with Supt. Larry Snelling.
Pfleger’s Message: Social Media & Parenting
During Sunday worship, Father Pfleger strongly urged:
- Parents to track their children’s locations using mobile phone features
- Teens to “stop putting everything you do on social media”
- Community members to get serious about gun violence prevention
“I’m gonna say this: Get rid of the damn guns,” Pfleger emphasized during his address.
Emergency Assistance Center & Support Services
In response to the shooting, the Chicago Mayor’s Office will open an Emergency Assistance Center:
When: Wednesday, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: St. Sabina Church, 1210 W 78th Pl, Chicago, IL
Available services include:
- Victim compensation applications
- Youth services and counseling
- Domestic violence support
- Meetings with detectives and victim advocates
For more info:
Call (312) 745-6300
Email: [email protected]
Community Safety Patrols and Rewards
The Uvalde Foundation for Kids has pledged to:
- Deploy citizen patrol teams outside St. Sabina Church
- Donate $5,000 toward Father Pfleger’s $10,000 reward for information leading to the shooters
Pfleger remains committed to ending violence, stating that both individual responsibility and community infrastructure must evolve to prevent future tragedies.
Were you in the Auburn Gresham area that night? Do you think youth behavior and crowd safety need stronger community support? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Stay with ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com for continuing coverage on South Side safety, youth issues, and city-led support initiatives.
