Spooktacular Halloween Party in Chicago Turns Tragic with Mass Shooting Incident
(October 31, 2023) Chicago, Illinois – In a harrowing incident that unfolded during a Halloween party in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood, a man has been apprehended and charged in connection with a mass shooting that left 15 individuals wounded.
CPD Supt. Larry Snelling disclosed that 48-year-old William Groves faces a litany of charges, including 15 counts of attempted first-degree murder, 15 counts of aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm, one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and one count of unlawful discharge of a firearm in an occupied building. Groves, described as a convicted felon by Snelling, was not authorized to possess a firearm.
The incident transpired just after 1 a.m. in the 1200 block of South Pulaski Road, outside Studio 1258, where approximately 100 people were reveling in the Halloween festivities.
The victims, comprising six women and nine men aged between 26 and 53, suffered gunshot wounds during the gunfire. Among them, a 26-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man were listed in critical condition. However, after initial critical states, all victims, numbering thirteen, have been upgraded to fair-to-good condition, and their recovery is anticipated.
According to police accounts, witnesses reported that Groves was ejected from the Halloween party and returned minutes later armed with a gun, opening fire on the attendees. Groves was subsequently apprehended by the police in the 400 block of 14th Street, with a .357 caliber handgun recovered from him.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has taken legal action, filing a petition to detain Groves pretrial, citing him as a potential threat to the community. Foxx emphasized the urgency, stating that measures must be taken to protect the community from such violent threats.
Expressing profound concern, Ald. Monique Scott (24th) questioned the senseless violence, urging the community to stand united against such tragedies. The incident prompted her to reflect on the ongoing cycle of community strife and the imperative need to end the senseless fighting among residents.
Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement on Sunday night, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families. He highlighted the Community Safety Coordination Center’s role in providing resources for trauma recovery and reiterated his commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders to curb gun violence, enhance neighborhood safety, and protect families.
In the aftermath of this appalling incident, the city of Chicago grapples with the consequences of yet another act of senseless violence, emphasizing the pressing need for community-wide resilience and concerted efforts to break the cycle of such tragic events.
Source: https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-halloween-party-mass-shooting
