The nation’s second-largest county has recorded more homicides this year than in all of 2019, the majority of which – 95% – are people of color. Meanwhile, homicides are up 52% in Chicago.https://t.co/SwFLGOUfNs
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) September 17, 2020
The Chicago Sun Times reports that at least 36 people were shot in Chicago over this past weekend, 9 fatally. The prior weekend saw 42 people shot, 12 fatally.
All this after a particularly deadly Labor Day holiday weekend that saw 51 people shot, and 10 people killed.
Chicago has been dealing with a deadly spate of violence in recent months. So far this year, homicides are up 52% over the same period last year. The majority of the victims – including all of the victims from this past weekend – have been young Black men.
Additionally, 55 police officers have been shot at, and 10 have been shot, according to Police Superintendent David Brown.
“There’s not a comparable year. That’s five times any previous year anyone can recall,” he said. “We’re risking everything.”